Survivors of St. Anne’s Indian Residential School, along with leaders and supporters, meet with press during a rally just to prior a court hearing at the Ontario Superior Court in Toronto on Dec. 17. The
survivors are seeking access to documents from a police investigation in the 1990s that would support their claims of abuse in the residential school, but they say the federal government is withholding the documents, citing privacy issues. See story on page 3.

Page 7
Grand Council Treaty #3 grand chief appointed to
justice advisory group
Grand Council Treaty #3 Ogichidaa Warren White was recently
appointed to co-chair the Aboriginal Justice Advisory Group.
The group would provide advice to the Ontario Attorney General
on how to improve how the Ontario justice system impacts Aboriginal peoples.
The Aboriginal Justice Advisory Group was established in
response to one of the key recommendations of the Honourable
Frank Iacobucci’s report, First Nations Representation on Ontario
Juries.

Page 3
Rally for St. Anne’s survivors as court begins
Survivors of St. Anne’s residential school and supporters rallied
in Toronto just as the Ontario Superior Court was set to hear their
case on Dec. 17.
The survivors have been calling on the federal government to
release documents from an Ontario Provincial Police investigation
in the 1990s that led to the conviction of several Catholic school
administrators.
The documents would support their claims of abuse suffered
at St. Anne’s, based in Fort Albany First Nation, and the survivors
accuse the feds of hiding evidence.
The federal government has said the survivors need to go
through the provincial court system to access the documents since
the OPP conducted the investigation.

ᐸᓫᑯᕑ
ᐅᐃᐧᒋᑲᐸᐃᐧᑕᐣ
ᐅᓇᑯᓂᑫᐃᐧᓂ

ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐃᐧ

ᐊᐸᒪᑐᐠ
ᐸᐡᑲᐧᐱᑭᑎᑲᐧᓀᐊᐧᐠ
ᒪᐊᐧᒋᐦᐃᑐᐃᐧᓂᑫᐊᐧᐨ
Fort Hope community members shaved their heads to fundraise
towards a youth conference in February 2014 (top); Survivors of St.
Anne’s residential school, including Fort Albany’s Edmund Metatawabin, hope the Ontario Superior Court will release documents that
support their claims of abuse (bottom right); and AANDC Minister
Bernard Valcourt (bottom left) reaffirmed his support for the proposed First Nations Education Act in an open letter to the Assembly of
First Nations National Chief Shawn Atleo.

Valcourt stands by First Nations Education Act
Although First Nation leaders and community members have
firmly rejected the federal government’s Proposal for a Bill on First
Nation Education, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development of
Canada Minister Bernard Valcourt is still standing by his proposed
legislation.
In a response to a letter from National Chief Shawn Atleo, Valcourt said the proposed act would empower First Nations.
“The proposed bill strengthens and entrenches the roles and
responsibilities of First Nation governments and education authorities, while reducing the day to day powers of the minister and the
department from what they are today,” Valcourt wrote in an open
letter to the Assembly of First Nations chiefs on Dec. 13.
Atleo said they are reviewing the response.

Fort Hope shaves heads for youth conference
Eleven members of Eabametoong First Nation had their heads
shaved so they may host a youth conference in their community.
The group raised $3,140 has their had their heads shaved on Nov.
30. Part of the funds were donated to the Canadian Cancer Society
and to the Hospital for Sick Kids in Toronto.
The rest will go towards the youth conference set to take place in
February 2014.
The head shaving took place at the local cable station and was
broadcast across the community.

Survivors of St. Anneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s
Indian Residential School
hope the Ontario Superior
Court will allow the release
of police documents that
support their claims of abuse
suffered while attending the
school.
A group of survivors, along
with leaders and supporters,
attended the first day of a
two-day court proceeding on
Dec. 17 to have their case be
heard.
The survivors have been
trying to access the documents so they may be used
in their Independent Assessment Process (IAP) compensation claim as part of the
Indian Residential School
settlement.
However, the survivors say
the federal government has

been withholding the evidence. The feds cite privacy
concerns for the victims and
maintain that it is not within
their authority to release
them.
The presiding judge told
those in attendance that â&#x20AC;&#x153;the
purpose of this hearing is not
getting those stories outâ&#x20AC;? but
to decide what documents go
to the residential school settlement process.
The documents in question
are from an Ontario Provincial Police investigation conducted in the 1990s that led
to the convictions of several
of the schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s administrators.
The documents contain
more than 900 witness testimonies and are more than
7,000 pages in length.
Among the survivorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;
claims while attending St.
Anneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s are being beaten

Submitted photo

Edmund Metatawabin (far right), along with Charlie Angus and NAN
Deputy Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler speak to media prior to entering the
Ontario Superior Court in Toronto.
with strops and rudimentary
whips, being forced to ingest
their own vomit, and experiencing child rape and other
forms of sexual abuse.
Edmund Metatawabin of
Fort Albany First Nation previously told Wawatay News
that he first attended St.

Anneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in 1956, when he was
about six years old.
He recounted how he and
others would be strapped to
a homemade electric chair
and be electrocuted â&#x20AC;&#x201C; much
to the amusement of the
Catholic missionaries.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;Your feet is flying around

in front of you, and that was
funny for the missionaries,â&#x20AC;?
Metatawabin said at the
time. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So all you hear is that
jolt of electricity and your
reaction, and laughter at the
same time. We all took turns
sitting on it.â&#x20AC;?
Prior to attending the
court hearing in Toronto,
Metatawabin told reporters
that the federal government
sees itself as defendants.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;â&#x20AC;&#x153;And when you begin to
defend yourself, you begin
to hide things. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s exactly
what the government is
doing. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re hiding evidence,â&#x20AC;? he said.
By withholding the documents, NDP MP Charlie
Angus (Timmins-James Bay)
said the federal government
is â&#x20AC;&#x153;betraying the spirit of the
residential apology.â&#x20AC;?
â&#x20AC;&#x153;The federal government
has compromised the legal

rights of the survivors and
poisoned the reconciliation
process,â&#x20AC;? he said in a Dec.
17 release. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is time for the
Conservatives to do the right
thing and settle the compensation for St. Anneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s school
survivors.â&#x20AC;?
Since 2007, as part of the
Indian Residential School
Settlement Agreement, residential school survivors have
been able to seek compensation against the government
through a Common Experience Payment and the IAP.
The deadline for each process was in September 2012.
So far, about $2 billion
has been paid to more than
21,300 victims across Canada, with more than 16,400
claims still in process.
For updates on the court
hearing, please visit Wawatay
Online at: www.wawataynews.
ca.

National Chief Shawn A-inchut Atleo performed a Nuuchah-nulth ceremony and presented an eagle feather during
Nelson Mandelaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s memorial services in South Africa.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;Just before noon today in
Johannesburg, I was honoured
to attend the lying in state of
Madiba (Nelson Mandela),â&#x20AC;?
said Atleo in a Dec. 11 statement
delivered by former national
chief Ovide Mercredi at the
AFN Special Chiefs Assembly.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;I offered a Nuu-chah-nulth
ceremony on behalf of all First
Nations from coast to coast
to coast. We gathered the full

Canadian delegation in a circle
and presented the South African High Commissioner with an
eagle feather and, in full respect,
passed to him the sacred responsibility to carry it with him to
Madibaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ancestral homeland to
be buried with Madiba.â&#x20AC;?
Atleo also presented a second
eagle feather to the High Commissioner in friendship and as a
reminder of the participation of
First Nations in the memorial.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;Following the ceremony I
reminded the entire delegation,
including Prime Minister Stephen Harper, that we must take
home with us Madibaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s spirit of
reconciliation, that reconciliation requires respect on behalf
of all parties, including respect

for indigenous rights and recognition of indigenous peoples,â&#x20AC;?
Atleo said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But as Madiba demonstrated through his life and
work, reconciliation is possible.â&#x20AC;?
While attending Mandelaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s
memorial services on Dec. 9-10,
Atleo also sent back a video
message to the Special Chiefs
Assembly. The video is available
at http://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=V5ThyvYtkLs.
Regional Chief Stan Beardy
said Mandela was a true personal hero to indigenous peoples around the world because
of his â&#x20AC;&#x153;greatest achievementâ&#x20AC;? of
freeing South Africa from apartheid.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;The freeing of indigenous
peoples from apartheid in South

Africa is something indigenous
peoples in Canada strongly
aspire to,â&#x20AC;? Beardy said, noting
that if it were not for Mandela,
many in South Africans would
not enjoy the peaceful co-existence and reconciliation that
exists today.
Although Mandela was once
labelled a terrorist by many
world leaders, Beardy said he
now embodies the hope that
freedom is achievable for the
oppressed.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;As indigenous peoples, we
identify with Nelson Mandela in
our struggle for justice in Canada,â&#x20AC;? Beardy said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He is proof
that with vision, sacrifice and
peaceful determination oppression can be lifted. If Canadian

political leaders strive to be
more like Mandela who confronted oppression head on, we
would all be in a better place in
Canada.â&#x20AC;?
Beardy said that Mandela
stood for hope, courage and
integrity and he came from a
long line of leaders.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;Based on how he carried
his life, it is obvious that he was
mentored and guided by traditional Elders from his homelands,â&#x20AC;? Beardy said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We also
express our prayers and condolences to them, the people
who provided him strength and
direction throughout his 95
years.â&#x20AC;?
The Grand Council of the
Crees also expressed their con-

Wq[+%=qRAWq)Y=)W#

dolences to the people of South
Africa, noting they stood in solidarity with South Africans during the struggle against apartheid in Canada and internationally including at the United
Nations.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;We drew strength and
inspiration from Mandela and
his African National Congress
comradesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; astounding defiance, determination, humility,
patience, restraint and their ultimate commitment to a moral
reconciliation,â&#x20AC;? said Grand Chief
Matthew Coon Come. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The long
walk to freedom is still underway in South Africa and also
in Australia, the United States,
Canada and New Zealand to
name a few.â&#x20AC;?

Put Love and
Joy back into
Christmas
Xavier
Kataquapit
UNDER THE
NORTHERN SKY

C

hristmas is just around
the corner and already
I see the sales push
everywhere I go.
I have never really enjoyed
this time of the year because
more and more I realize that
it is mostly about a huge push
to market products to we, the
consumer. That brings about
a lot of stress. Christmas has
become more or less a money
time of the year.
The kids want the latest toy
so they can keep up to their
classmates and neighbours, and
the parents are under the gun
to provide all the latest gadgets
and products for them. I see
the result of this everywhere
with cars being raced from
mall to mall or store to store
with parents frantic to fulfill
their children’s wish list. I see
these stressed out parents in
the stores lining up to buy these
gifts and they never look happy.
The strange thing is that even
when mom and dad travel far
and wide to buy, buy, buy, often
on Christmas morning the kids
are either disappointed that it
was not enough or they simply
discard some expensive item
and pick up something like a
card board box to play with.
This is the time of the year
when people should be able
to connect around the feeling
of love and joy. Instead it has
ended up being all about
money and falling prey to
smart marketing by big toy
companies.
Christmas has almost always
been a time of stress for me and
I see it in so many others.
These special days have
turned into a time of the year
when many sad and tragic
things happen and that has to
do with another prominent
feature most of us take part
in. I am referring to the use of
alcohol and drugs this time of
the year.
For many households even
though there are many presents
under the tree the children will
not be very happy. Too many of
us equate Christmas and New
Years Eve with parties where
things just get out of hand.
The children are forgotten as
people party on into the night
and often there are very severe
tragedies associated with this.
When children realize
that they cannot count on
their parents for safety and

protection because they are out
of it on booze or drugs that is
a very sad thing. This kind of
Christmas is more like a horror
show for them and will remain
in their memories forever.
At the parties people fight,
curse, act irresponsibly and
often endanger the children in
the house. Tragically people
will drink and drive and have
accidents and all kinds of
negative situations will happen
around many celebrations
that are out of control. Family
violence often comes to a
head at Christmas with the
overindulgence of booze and
drugs.
Imagine the terror in a young
child’s mind as they lay in their
bed listening to the adults fight,
get sick, swear and turn violent.
In an alcoholic or drug using
household these children live a
nightmare very often. Dad and
mom are not in their normal
minds and they can’t be trusted
to care for the kids. Children
understand this situation and
they become very frightened
and emotionally unstable.
They know that they cannot
simply go to their parents and
their guests in this state of
intoxication and often they
group together to try to weather
the storm as the party carries
on outside their door.
Perhaps if we could realize
the terror and fear that we
instill in our little children we
would understand that it is very
wrong to carry on in this way
when there is the opportunity
to change. This time of the year
can really be about love and joy
but it is up to us to make sure
that becomes the reality for our
kids.
Perhaps this Christmas
and New Year it is the perfect
time to get help if you are an
alcoholic and having problems
with booze or if you are caught
up in drugs. You can very easily
go to the yellow pages and look
up the number for Alcoholic
Anonymous or Narcotics
Anonymous and ask for help.
You can also turn to the many
social services that exist in most
communities that can help you
with addictions. On remote
First Nations we have people
who work in addictions and
they can be sought out for help.
You could make this the
best Christmas and New Year
holiday time ever for yourself
and your kids if you think you
might have a problem with
drinking or drugging. That
would put the Love and Joy
back into this special season.
www.underthenorthernsky.com

Wawatay News archives

Unloading cargo plane Pikangikum, October 1983.

Colorectal Cancer: Know the Facts
Dr. Shannon
Wesley
GUEST
COLUMNIST

Did you know that Ontario
has one of the highest rates of
colorectal cancer in the world?
Do you know what
colorectal cancer is? Did you
know that colorectal cancer
has a 90 per cent chance of
being cured if it is found early
enough? If you answered ‘no’
to any of the above questions,
this article is for you.
Statistics show that we have
a greater risk for developing
colorectal cancer where
we live. This is why it is so
important that we know what
colorectal cancer is, how we
can help to prevent it, and how
we can screen for it.
Colorectal cancer is cancer
that occurs in the colon or
rectum, which is located at the
end of your digestive system.
Your digestive system is very
important part of maintaining
your health so you should
be aware of any changes

that aren’t normal for you.
Some signs and symptoms
of colorectal cancer include:
blood in your stool, belly
pain, weight loss, getting full
after eating less food than
usual, unexplained diarrhea
or constipation, or your stool
changes from thick to thin like
a pencil. If you experience any
of these symptoms speak to
your doctor or nurse.
The two most important
things that you can do for your
health are to prevent disease
from happening in the first
place and screen for colorectal
cancer so it can be found and
treated earlier. Some ways
to prevent colorectal cancer
include: eating healthy and
balanced meals and being
physically active. Try to eat
a diet rich in vegetables and
fruits (at least 5-10 servings
per day). Aim to exercise for
30 to 45 minutes on most
days of the week. Not only
will these lifestyle choices
help you to maintain a healthy
body weight, but they will also
help to prevent other chronic
diseases like diabetes and heart
disease.
Screening for colorectal
cancer is very important. If

found early, colorectal cancer
has a 90 per cent chance of
being cured. There are two
types of colorectal cancer
screening that are performed.
One is a ColonCancerCheck
fecal occult blood test (FOBT)
and the other is a procedure
called a ‘colonoscopy’.
ColonCancerCheck is a
colorectal cancer screening
program that helps Ontarians,
ages 50 to 74 years old, to
get screened for colorectal
cancer using FOBT kits. If you
are a man or woman who is
50 years of age or older, your
nurse or doctor will give you
a green ColonCancerCheck
FOBT kit for you to complete
at home. This test finds cancer
by looking for tiny amounts of
blood in your stool. After you
complete the test, you will get
a letter or phone call about
your results and what should
happen next.
A colonoscopy allows a
doctor to look for signs of
cancer inside of the colon
with a camera. You would go
for a colonoscopy if you are
considered to be at higher
risk of developing colorectal
cancer or if you have a positive
FOBT test (blood is found in

your stool). You are considered
high risk if a relative like
your mom, dad, brother or
sister had colorectal cancer.
If one of these relatives had
colorectal cancer, you would
be scheduled for your test at
age 50 or 10 years before your
relative’s age when they were
diagnosed. For example, if
your dad was diagnosed at age
55, you would be screened at
age 45.
During the colonoscopy,
the doctor might find a polyp,
which is an abnormal growth
inside of the colon. Not all
polyps are cancerous, but some
are so it is important to find
them. If a doctor does find a
polyp, they will remove it and
send it away for further testing.
It is always better to try to
prevent and screen for cancer.
Remember, earlier screening
means earlier detection, and
likely, a better outcome for you
and your family.
For more information on
colorectal cancer and ColonCancerCheck screening, visit
www.coloncancercheck.ca or
call 1-800-461-7031 to find out
when you are due for screening.

Geology and Winter Roads across the north
Andy Fyon
ONTARIO
BENEATH
OUR FEET

When the daylight gets
shorter, the temperature
drops, and the lakes, rivers,
and muskeg begin to freeze
across the Far North, thoughts
turn to the winter road season.
As the snow falls, the
groomers set out to pack the
snow so the frost goes deeper
into the ground and the ice on
the lakes gets thicker. Building
the winter roads is an art and
skill. Winter roads are essential transportation networks
across the Far North. Winter
roads are an important means
to deliver fuel, building supplies, and groceries to remote
communities. Winter roads
connect communities.

Role of Geology
There are geological factors
that affect the construction
and maintenance of winter
roads and all-season roads.
Geology is a field of science
that helps us understand the
materials that make up the
land and the shape of the land.

It helps us identify sources
of aggregate (sand, gravel or
strong rock) used to build both
winter roads and all-season
roads.
Because of their geological
properties, dry, flat, sandy
areas are excellent places to
locate a winter — and allseason — road as this material
does not turn into mud as a
result of repeated freezingthawing. High and dry landforms make a stable winter
road bed compared to muskeg
and lakes. A rocky area is one
type of dry stable land, but
not all rocky areas are good to
build on. Steep rocky hills or
cliffs are not suitable for winter road construction. Cliffs
are impossible to drive over
and steep hills can be very
difficult for trucks to climb
and dangerous when going
downhill.
Geology identifies land
made of clay. Clay is a natural geological road hazard
because this type of land is
often low, flat and wet. Low,
wet ground is bad for winter
roads because the mineral soil
soaks up water like a sponge.
Clay is not strong and changes
quickly from a solid ice road
to a soft, soggy, unstable road
with deep ruts during freezethaw cycles. The many rolling
bumps could damage vehicles.
Landslides could occur and

the area could flood. Those
conditions would shorten the
life and usefulness of the winter road. Trucks would have
to travel more slowly with
reduced weight loads.
Geology shows areas where
the earth broke a long time
ago to create a fault line in the
rock. These fault areas may
create long, narrow depressions in the earth where
creeks, narrow lakes, and
thick, wet, unstable soil may
occur. Parts of a winter road
that cross this type of area will
likely require more maintenance.
Geology shows areas that
are covered by thick muskeg,
and have many lakes and
creeks. Many winter road
systems cross muskeg and
lakes because it is possible to
build long, straight stretches
that don’t require tree cutting.
Winter roads on this material
are easier to maintain so long
as the temperature remains
cold. But the climate has been
changing. Muskeg and lakes
are becoming less dependable
for a winter road.

Permafrost
The land between Fort
Severn and Weenusk contains
permafrost. Patches of permafrost occur north of a line from

Sandy Lake, just north of Lansdowne House, to just south of
Moosonee.
Building any stable road on
permafrost is not easy. Anything that causes the permafrost to melt will cause the icerich soil to turn into mud. Mud
is weak and when it freezes,
it forms lumpy ground and
damages the road. Geology
helps identify areas where permafrost occurs. It tells us what
mineral soil may be needed
to cover roadsides to preserve
the permafrost and lessen the
chance of landslides.
It helps us solve technical
problems such as what soil
must be removed to make a
stable road bed, what gravel is
best for construction or which
materials would insulate
streambeds and culverts best.
Often this is information used
when constructing all-season
roads, but it can also be a factor in the construction of a
new winter road alignment.

Climate Change
Changes are taking place
to the climate and Aboriginal
Elders say the temperature is
not as cold as it was when they
were children.
The winter is not as long
and blue ice is thinner than it
used to be. The muskeg does

not freeze like it used to and
the permafrost is melting. The
snow is different and the winter season is shorter. These are
important changes — changes
that affect the life of winter
roads.
At least five of the past 10
years have suffered from a less
reliable winter road season.
Climate change is causing
many to re-think decisions to
build winter roads on lakes,
muskeg and poor geological
soils. Geology has to be considered for future winter and
all-season roads.

Role of Modern
Geology
The Ontario Geological
Survey (OGS) carries out
modern geological mapping
across Ontario, including the
Far North.
The geology mapping methods include: geological field
work to identify rock, sand,
gravel, and clay deposits; geology land forms like eskers; and
natural geological hazards like
faults and landslide areas. The
geology study includes: review
of all public geologic maps
and reports; environmental
reports; photographs taken
from aircraft and satellites;
elevation and topographic

maps; and the digging of pits
or drilling of shallow holes
to sample the earth and rock
materials. Sometimes surveys,
called geophysical surveys, are
carried out using instruments
on the ground or from aircraft
to help describe the geology
below the surface.
The results of the OGS studies are published as geological
maps and in reports available
to the public. This information is available at no cost,
both online and in regional
offices of the OGS. These
maps and reports are used
by First Nations and tribal
councils, consulting companies working for First Nations,
land-use planners, and engineers considering winter road
realignment or all-season road
options.
Without this modern information, it is difficult to plan
and build new legs of winter
roads, all-season roads, or
winter road re-alignments.
Disregarding the geology of
a winter, or all-season road
corridor will result in higher
construction and maintenance
costs and may cost more
money in the long run, especially if the road is abandoned.
Understanding the Ontario
beneath our feet is important,
especially as we adjust to climate change.

Winter roads built across muskeg and lakes are going to be more subject to climate change because the road is more likely to be affected by warming temperatures.

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ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Wawatay News DECEMBER 19, 2013

AANDC minister stands by First Nations Education Act
Wawatay News

Although First Nation leaders and community members
have firmly rejected the federal government’s Proposal
for a Bill on First Nation Education, Aboriginal Affairs and
Northern Development of
Canada Minister Bernard Valcourt is still standing by his
proposed legislation.
“I believe that the time is
long overdue for us to ensure
that First Nation children
have access to a comprehensive education regime which
affords them education rights
and protections in the same
manner as all other students,”
Valcourt said in a Dec. 13
open letter sent to National
Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo.

they are today. I cannot stress
enough the important fact
that the draft legislative proposal will not apply to First
Nations who are part of existing comprehensive or sectoral
self-government agreements
that cover education. Implementation of First Nation
control over First Nation
education will provide First
Nations with the opportunity
to establish the structures
and systems that support First
Nation control and institution
building, including self-government negotiations moving
forward.”
National Chief Shawn A-inchut Atleo responded to Valcourt’s open letter by stating
the First Nations’ position is
clear and has been reaffirmed
by a unanimous resolution at

Bernard Valcourt
Aboriginal Affairs and Northern
Development of Canada
and education authorities,
while reducing the day to day
powers of the minister and
the department from what

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“My view is that we cannot
get there without putting in
place legislation.”
Valcourt said the federal
government agrees that First
Nations must have control
over their education in the
open letter, which is available on the AANDC website
at: http://www.aadnc-aandc.
gc.ca/eng/1386958638702/1
386958691700.
“The proposal that I put
forth is intended to empower
those who know best what
their children need – First
Nations, parents, communities, and administrators - to
determine what is most effective for their success,” Valcourt said. “The proposed bill
strengthens and entrenches
the roles and responsibilities
of First Nation governments

Rick Garrick

Available in most new
Ford vehicles with 6-month
pre-paid subscription

12/12/13 1:47 PM

f i l e s / e d u c a t i o n / 3 . _ 2 010 _
july_afn_first_nations_control_of_first_nations_education_final_eng.pdf.
Its objectives are: ensure
First Nation lifelong learners
have access to an education
system with programs and
services grounded in First
Nations languages, values,
traditions and knowledge;
build and sustain First Nation
capacity and institutional
development so as to deliver
a wide spectrum of quality
programs and services across
the learning continuum; and
implement First Nations control of First Nations education.
“The minister has stated
that there is an opportunity
for dialogue on terms set by
the chiefs,” Atleo said. “We
will make efforts to ensure
First Nations are aware of the
minister’s response. We will
be carefully reviewing the
minister’s letter and setting
out next steps through dialogue with all First Nations.”

“The minister has
stated that there is
an opportunity for
dialogue on terms
set by the chiefs. We
will make efforts to
ensure First Nations are
aware of the minister’s
response.”
-National Chief Shawn Atleo

During the Chiefs of
Ontario
Special
Chiefs
Assembly in late November,
Regional Chief Stan Beardy
said First Nations across
Ontario have vowed to stop
the federal First Nation Education Act and will refuse to
abide by or implement the
act if is unilaterally pushed
through parliament.
“Action is currently underway garnering public and
political support for our
position,” Beardy said. “We
continue developing strategies based on all available
options including challenging
resource extraction, direct
action and litigation.”
Recent high school data,
from 2004-2009, indicates
First Nation students have
a graduation rate of about
36 per cent compared to the
Canadian graduation rate of
72 per cent, according to an
Assembly of First Nations
document from the October
2012 Chiefs Assembly on Education.
The federal government
said it consulted 600-plus
First Nations across the country and other stakeholders
through eight face-to-face
regional consultation sessions, more than 54 technical
briefings and information sessions via video or teleconference sessions and an online
survey that received 631
responses since December
2012 over the Proposal for a
Bill on First Nation Education.
MP Carolyn Bennett, the
Liberal Party of Canada critic
for Aboriginal Affairs, said
the Proposal for a Bill on
First Nations Education has
received a failing grade from
coast to coast to coast during
an Oct. 24 House of Commons session.
“The Conservatives should
push pause on this f lawed,
top-down strategy, sit down
with First Nations communities and build a workable, fully funded plan
that respects, supports and
empowers First Nations to
control their own education
systems,” Bennett said.

The Auditor General has
raised flags about the way
emergencies are handled in
First Nation communities in
his 2013 Fall Report, released
on Nov. 26.
Auditor General Michael
Ferguson examined a number of issues in his report that
the federal government had
been struggling to address,
including online government
services, food recalls, illegal
entry into Canada, emergency
management on First Nations
reserves, oversight of rail
safety, disaster relief for agricultural producers, and internal controls over financial
reporting.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our audit of Aboriginal
Affairs and Northern Development Canadaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s role in supporting emergency management on First Nations reserves
showed that the department is
in a cycle of reacting to emergencies,â&#x20AC;? Ferguson said in the

report. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It has not been able
to focus on what can be done
to prevent and mitigate these
events.â&#x20AC;?
Ferguson
said
some
reserves continue to be
adversely affected in significant ways by repeated emergencies, such as floods.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;These difficulties are compounded by the fact that the
respective roles and responsibilities of the federal government and other stakeholders are unclear,â&#x20AC;? Ferguson
said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Aboriginal Affairs and
Northern Development Canada must work with other
stakeholders, including First
Nations, to reduce the human
and financial costs of emergencies over the long-term.â&#x20AC;?
The report indicated that
AANDC spent $286 million between 2009-2010 and
2012-2013 on emergency situations, of which $180 million
- or 63 per cent - was spent on
response and recovery, with
only $4 million on prevention
and mitigation. The report

also called for an immediate
increase in the annual budget of AANDC for immediate
response, prevention and mitigation activities, noting the
costs of emergency response
must often come from funds
identified for capital spending, which deprives First
Nations of much-needed funds
for infrastructure.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;The facts here are truly
alarming - at least 9,500
First Nations citizens were
evacuated due to major fire
and flooding emergencies in
2011 in the three regions visited during the audit,â&#x20AC;? said
National Chief Shawn A-inchut Atleo about the report.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;The impact to families can
be devastating in terms of disruptions to childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s education, employment, First Nation
businesses and overall community well-being.â&#x20AC;?
A number of First Nations
across northern Ontario
have faced emergency situations due to flooding over the
years, including Attawapiskat,

Kasabonika and Kashechewan, which were evacuated in
2013.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Aboriginal Affairs and
Northern Development
Canada must work with
other stakeholders,
including First Nations,
to reduce the human
and financial costs of
emergencies over the
long-term.â&#x20AC;?
-Auditor General
Michael Ferguson

Communities have also
faced emergency situations
due to nearby forest fires,
including Sandy Lake, Deer
Lake and Cat Lake, which
were evacuated in 2011.
Ferguson said the federal
government needs to improve
the results on issues identified

in his report.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;Even when government
identifies a problem, it takes
too long to develop and implement solutions,â&#x20AC;? Ferguson
said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Departments need to
focus on critical success factors that are proven to work.
These include setting clear
priorities, applying lessons
learned, and monitoring deliverables against timelines and
objectives.â&#x20AC;?
â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have seen too many
crises in our communities that
could have been avoided with
better coordinated plans and
adequate resources,â&#x20AC;? Atleo
said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As the Auditor General
points out, the department is
caught in a cycle of only reacting to emergencies. This must
end. The AFN (Assembly of
First Nations) has put forward
plans and approaches to the
federal government and provincial and territorial leaders
including efforts like those
we supported in the recent
Alberta floods. Now itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time
to act on these plans across

the country.â&#x20AC;?
Atleo said the AFN has been
pressing for a better, more
coordinated approach by all
levels of government to emergency management that deals
not only with responding to
crises but also actions aimed
at preventing and mitigating
disasters wherever possible.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are calling for proper
investments in long-term
and sustainable plans that
are developed in coordination with First Nations,â&#x20AC;? Atleo
said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s report finds
that upfront investments and
planning reduce costs when
disasters do hit. Last week,
the Aboriginal Affairs minister stated that the federal government was willing to better
improve access and support
for First Nations emergency
management. Now, we need to
see real action by the federal
government to work with First
Nations on this critical matter.
Nothing less than the lives of
our people and well-being of
our families is at stake.â&#x20AC;?

Grand Council Treaty #3
Ogichidaa Warren White is
looking forward to providing
advice to the Ontario Attorney General as co-chair of the
Aboriginal Justice Advisory
Group.

Ogichidaa Warren White
â&#x20AC;&#x153;I
look
forward
to
providing input on traditional
approaches to community
well-being and reconciliation
as strongly recommended
in the Iacobucci report, and
closely examining all phases of
the justice system continuum
impacting
First
Nation
people and communities,
from police investigations to
programming for inmates in
institutions,â&#x20AC;? White said after
being appointed co-chair on
Dec. 6 along with Murray
Segal, former deputy attorney
general of Ontario and former
deputy minister responsible

for Aboriginal affairs. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There
are many outstanding issues
requiring attention, such as
violence against Aboriginal
women, that a partnership such
as this can begin to address.â&#x20AC;?
The Aboriginal Justice Advisory Group was established in
response to one of the key recommendations of the Honourable Frank Iacobucciâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s report,
First Nations Representation on
Ontario Juries.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Aboriginal Justice
Advisory Group will be a vital
resource for our government in
our ongoing efforts to improve
Ontarioâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s system of justice,â&#x20AC;?
said Attorney General John
Gerretsen. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I look forward to
working with our two experienced leaders, Ogichidaa Warren White and Murray Segal,
to build a justice system that is
more responsive to the needs of
Aboriginal peoples.â&#x20AC;?
Developed as a forum for the
government to collaborate with
Aboriginal leaders and others
with knowledge of Aboriginal
justice issues, the Aboriginal
Justice Advisory Group will
consider ways to improve how
the Ontario justice system
impacts Aboriginal peoples and
to provide advice to the Attorney General.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;With the appointment of
Ogichidaa Warren White and
former deputy attorney general Murray Segal, Ontario has
taken another important step
to address Aboriginal justice
issues,â&#x20AC;? said David Zimmer,
minister of Aboriginal Affairs.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The co-chairs offer a wealth of
experience and knowledge and
will play an important role in
improving Ontarioâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s justice system for Aboriginal peoples.â&#x20AC;?
Iacobucci offered 17 major
recommendations
in
his
report this past February,
including the Juries Review
Implementation Committee
and the Aboriginal Justice
Advisory Group that have
since been implemented by the
provincial government.
Iacobucciâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s
third

recommendation was for
the Ministry of the Attorney
General,
after
obtaining
input of the Juries Review
Implementation Committee, to
provide cultural training for all
government officials working
in the justice system who have
contact with First Nations
peoples, including police, court
workers, Crown prosecutors,
prison guards and other related
agencies.
Iacobucci said the justice
system as it relates to

First Nations is currently
in a crisis, particularly in
northern Ontario, during the
presentation of his report.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;Despite the efforts of many
individuals, access to justice,
the administration of justice,
the availability and quality of
legal services, the treatment
of First Nations peoples in the
justice system, all are wanting
in northern Ontario,â&#x20AC;? Iacobucci
said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In this context, it stands
to reason that if the justice
system has and continues to fail

First Nations people, they will
be reticent to participate in the
process to assemble the jury
roll or to serve on juries. These
unfortunate circumstances lie
at the heart of the problem of
the juries issue.â&#x20AC;?
Iacobucciâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s report can be
found on the provincial
government website at http://
www.attorneygeneral.jus.gov.
on.ca/english/about/pubs/
iacobucci/pdf/First_Nations_
Representation_Ontario_Juries.
pdf.

INSPECTION
English River Forest 2009â&#x20AC;&#x201C;2019 Forest Management Plan
Inspection of Approved Planned Operations for
Phase II 2014â&#x20AC;&#x201C;2019
The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR),
Resolute FP Canada Inc. and the Ignace Local Citizens
Advisory Committee (LCAC) are advising you that the
Planned Operations for the second five-year term (2014â&#x20AC;&#x201C;
2019) of the 2009â&#x20AC;&#x201C;2019 Forest Management Plan (FMP) for
the English River Forest have been approved by the MNR
Regional Director and are available for inspection.
The MNR-approved Planned Operations for the second fiveyear term will be available for inspection for 30 days.
During the 30-day inspection period, there is an opportunity
to make a written request to the Director, Environmental
Assessment Approvals Branch, Ministry of the Environment
for an individual environmental assessment of specific forest
management activities in the Planned Operations for the
second five-year term.
The MNR-approved Planned Operations for the second five-year term and planned operations summary are available for
inspection during normal office hours by appointment for 30 days from December 20, 2013 to January 19, 2014 at the
following locations:
t 3FTPMVUF'1PGGJDFJO'PSU'SBODFTBOE5IVOEFS#BZ
t ./3QVCMJDXFCTJUFBUontario.ca/forestplansBOE
t 5IF0OUBSJP(PWFSONFOU*OGPSNBUJPO$FOUSFJO5PSPOUPBU#BZ4USFFUBOE4FSWJDF0OUBSJPMPDBUJPOTJO*HOBDFBU
)JHIXBZBOE
'PSU'SBODFTBU4DPUU4USFFU
%SZEFOBU(PWFSONFOU3PBE
4JPVY-PPLPVUBU2VFFO
4USFFUBOE5IVOEFS#BZBU+BNFT4USFFU
QSPWJEF*OUFSOFUBDDFTT
For further information, please contact:

REMINDER
The Nishnawbe-Aski Police

GUN AMNESTY PERIOD
Ends December 31, 2013

Following the Gun Amnesty Period anyone who possesses
LOOHJDOÂżUHDUPVSURKLELWHGGHYLFHVDQGDQ\DFFRPSDQ\LQJ
DPPXQLWLRQZLOOÂżQGWKHPVHOYHVEHLQJLQYHVWLJDWHGDQG
most likely charged with a Criminal Code offence.
3OHDVHFRQWDFW\RXUORFDO1$36RIÂżFHLI\RXKDYH
questions or if you would like to turn in your unwanted
RULOOHJDOÂżUHDUPVDPPXQLWLRQDQGRWKHUGHYLFHV
Thank you.

The approved Planned Operations will be available for public viewing for the five-year period at the same locations listed
above.
This is the third and final opportunity to influence operations for the second five-year term.
The Ministry of Natural Resources is collectingÂ your personal informationÂ under the authority of theÂ Crown Forest Sustainability
Act.Â Any personal information you provide (address, name, telephone, etc.) willÂ beÂ protected in accordance withÂ the Freedom
of Information and Protection of Privacy ActĂ¸:PVSQFSTPOBMJOGPSNBUJPONBZCFVTFECZUIF.JOJTUSZPG/BUVSBM3FTPVSDFTUP
TFOEZPVĂ¸GVSUIFSJOGPSNBUJPOĂ¸SFMBUFEUPUIJTGPSFTUNBOBHFNFOUQMBOOJOHĂ¸FYFSDJTF*GZPVIBWFRVFTUJPOTBCPVUUIFVTFPGZPVS
QFSTPOBMJOGPSNBUJPO
QMFBTFDPOUBDUĂ¸0XFO7BVHIBOBU
3FOTFJHOFNFOUTFOGSBOĂ&#x17D;BJT

8

Wawatay News DECEMBER 19, 2013

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

ONWA calls for help
to end violence against
Aboriginal women
Rick Garrick
Wawatay News

The Ontario Native Women’s
Association (ONWA) is calling
for all Canadians to help end
violence against Aboriginal
women.
The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence
Against Women in Canada was
commemorated on Dec. 6.
“On the National Day of
Remembrance and Action
on Violence Against Women
in Canada, ONWA calls on
all Canadians to take a stand
against the pervasive levels of
violence that Aboriginal women
and girls experience on a daily
basis,” said Betty Kennedy,
ONWA’s executive director. “We
should use today as a catalyst
for concrete actions to eliminate
all forms of violence against
Aboriginal women and girls so
that together, we as Canadians
can break the cycle of violence.”
Aboriginal women and girls
experience violence at exponentially higher rates than nonAboriginal women, with eight
out of 10 Aboriginal women
having experienced some form
of violence in their lifetime.
There are also more than 600
Aboriginal women who are
currently missing or have been
murdered in Canada.
The names of 66 missing and

murdered Aboriginal women
and girls from northwestern
Ontario were were read aloud
to honour their lives during an
Oct. 4 Sisters in Spirit vigil in
Thunder Bay.
“Those are the ones that are
documented that have come
forward in the general area, but
we also want to stress that there
are a large number of cases that
go unreported,” said Maryanne
Matthews, ONWA’s media and
communications officer. “Even
(with the national) number
of 600 that we have, we know
the number in reality is much
higher than that. Which is
another reason why a national
inquiry is so important.”
ONWA has been calling on
all Canadians to support the
call for a national public inquiry
into missing and murdered
Aboriginal women.
“There is such limited
research in that area and there
is not enough funding for
Aboriginal organizations to
form that research ourselves,”
Matthews said. “We’re hoping
that an inquiry can help shed
more light into the reality of the
situation and find out just how
severe the problem is.”
The Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) has
gathered more than 10,000
signatures on a petition in support of a national public inquiry

into missing and murdered
Aboriginal women, which was
originally scheduled to be delivered to the federal government
in October but was extended to
early December due to requests
from the community for more
time to submit additional signatures.
“Our hearts are full as we
remember our mothers, daughters, sisters, aunties, grandmothers and friends who have
been lost to violence,” said
Michèle Audette, NWAC’s president. “We call on the federal
government to support families
and communities, Aboriginal
leadership, allies and the premiers who have voiced the need
for a national public inquiry
into missing and murdered
Aboriginal women and girls.”
NWAC also encouraged
Canadians to write their local
leaders to support the call for a
national public inquiry as well
as reach out and support families and communities that have
lost loved ones to violence.
“It (national public inquiry)
is something that would be a
crucial step towards understanding why violence against
Aboriginal women is so pervasive, why there are so many
missing and murdered Aboriginal women and to start the process to develop solutions into
that problem,” Matthews said.

Coast Salish carver George Franks’s handcarved Thunderbird was a hit at the 13th Annual
Aboriginal Fine Arts and Crafts Xmas Gift Show
and Sale.
“This is my interpretation of the Nanabosho
story,” said Franks, who carved the Thunderbird
from a 100-year-old red cedar tree. “Nanabosho’s
friend was the wolf, so this is the wolf here, and
the Thunderbird is on top.”
Franks, who has been living in Thunder Bay
for about five years, said the copper plates on the
piece represent the copper that was once mined
and traded by Anishinabe traders from the local
area.
“That’s where the trade items come from, the
copper,” Franks said. “And on top of it is the fruit
bowl for ceremonies, for smudge ceremonies or
tobacco offerings.”
Franks also placed birch bark on a platform
with wheels that allows the piece to be moved
effortlessly.
Franks sold the piece on the last day of the arts
and crafts sale, held from Dec. 3-7 at the Victoriaville Centre in Thunder Bay.
Rick Garrick/Wawatay News

Wawatay News

DECEMBER 19, 2013

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

9

10

Wawatay News DECEMBER 19, 2013

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Wawatay News

Kwayaciiwin’s Exploratory Process

It is with interest and anticipation that I look forward to the “Exploratory Process
to consult the grassroots people to determine Kwayaciiwin’s future role in
education support services in the Sioux Lookout district as mandated by the
Chiefs”. I hope you read the first information insert on the Wawatay News that
introduced the exploratory process, work-plan and possible education concepts
for your consideration. The insert also outlined some of the possible benefits that
each concept can achieve to improve the education gaps as partners. This is the
second insert of our communication process.
In this second insert, it is our hope that all parents will have a better
understanding of Kwayaciiwin’s possible future roles, school system, standards
and school issues that need to be addressed collectively. Even though, there
are many positive achievements and successes in the schools, there are some
education issues that I will outline that affect the schools. I will outline the
importance of standards. It is not my intention to disrespect anyone but to
inform you of some issues in education that I am aware of, that we all need to
address together as partners.
KERC is exploring possible two concepts: regional education organization (REO)
and district school board (DSB) in the exploratory process. Keep in mind that
under REO, you will create new aggregated services and all these second level
services (initial steps) will gradually lead to the creation of the district school
board if that is the future direction of the grassroots people. I want to remind you
that the “Possible Future Impacts” listed are drafts and they will change based
on your future directions. We just want to provide you as much information.
In our next insert, we will focus on providing you possible impacts to the local
education authority’s governance, administration, management and programs.
Since 1988 to present, each Band Council and Local Education Authorities have
managed and operated their school on behalf of the federal government. We
all know that the government left us with nothing expect the school buildings,
INAC did not leave in place the critical school support services for our area in
1988. Each community was left alone to run their schools to the best of their
ability with limited resources. It was the tribal councils (1989) that have to
intervene to establish some stability to provide second level services for their
communities with no funds from INAC except the minimum advisory funds. The
larger schools managed with limited support. Despite the limitations and severe
shortage of funds, the communities managed to succeed with the support from
the tribal councils and now with Kwayaciiwin Education Centre in the second
level services area.
As I reflect from 1988 to present in terms of local control of education, there
are some issues that still exist that I want to highlight which certainly affect the
effectiveness of the schools and our collective support services as following:
• improper use of curriculum guidelines in schools;
• some staff do not believe in the approved culturally relevant curriculum
thus ignoring it;
• lack of proper administrative support for staff;
• hiring practices must improve;
• lack of communication between schools and even with Kwayaciiwin too;
• lack of effective networking systems between schools and schools;
• lack of standardization.

As you know, Kwayaciiwin Education Resource Centre (KERC) does not have any
authority to supervise or inspect your schools. These are some of the very reasons
why our children are not learning properly because there is no consistency and
stability to start addressing the gaps together.
For the past eleven years (2002-2013), Kwayaciiwin’s initial goals were to
develop systems and strategies to address the academic readiness gaps by
providing second level services, creating a “Centre”, and developing a bilingual
& bicultural program & curriculum guidelines based on First Nation values
and to build capacity for leadership. In December 2009 - 2013, Kwayaciiwin
received FNSSP funds to focus on three critical areas: literacy, numeracy, and
student retention. With these new funds, development of new strategies
such as: school improvement planning, local & district wide data-collection
processes, developing district wide assessments, providing on-going professional
development & training, and purchasing textbooks & IT equipment and working
on student retention strategies, and most importantly, it made possible for KERC
to hire experienced resource teachers. All of these critical initiatives and strategies
were developed for a reason to develop standards as we move forward together
as partners.
You might wonder why do we need District-wide standards for education?
Students in the north deserve a quality education and the same opportunities
that every child in Canada is entitled to. We must strive for the same
opportunities for our students up north. These are some reasons why we need
standards:
• Standards provide a clear set of shared goals and expectations for the
school system;
• Standards promote equity by ensuring that all students, no matter what
community they are from, are well prepared with the skills they need;
• Standards help teachers ensure that their students have the skills and
knowledge they need to be successful by providing clear goals for
learning to students and parents;
• Standards help the development of a common district-wide assessment
system that measures whether students have learned what was taught
and to address the gaps;
• Standards will achieve stability, standardization and consistency in the
schools;
• There is a standard district-wide Kwayaciiwin curriculum mandated by
the Sioux Lookout Chiefs to be use in your school;
• The other areas that we need to be standardized are the curriculum,
school calendar, assessments, policies and etc
As a parent, it is important to get involved in your child’s education. A child
depends on you to make decisions that will benefit her / him in the future. It
is our hope that each of you will take time to reflect and to determine how
effective Kwayaciiwin’s education support services are to your schools. I hope that
it will get you to think about your own school system too as we all work together
for the same students. Kwayaciiwin exists for the children and schools, and we
want to ensure that we are performing to your expectation. I want to encourage
you all to participate and express your honest views and concerns in the KERC’s
exploratory process. I feel that we (Kwayaciiwin and our partners Sioux Lookout
area First Nations) have reached a “critical time” to review and focus on the urgent
need to provide stability, standardization and consistency in our schools together.
Please review the following information and I encourage you to take notes of any
questions that you might have as it pertains to the KERC’s exploratory process.

First Nations

Kwayaciiwin (KERC)

(It is possible that the REO could be the initial step on
the path to the DSB. These options will be discussed
during the community consultations).
What impact could occur with KERC as a Regional
Education Organization?
Develop
• All schools will have policies to ensure that all students receive good education within a safe school.
Standardized Policies
• All schools will have procedures that parents can see to ensure that they understand how education is provided in a safe school.

Provide Second
Level Special
Education Services

Develop a
Centralized Hiring
system

1st Level of Service

2nd Level

3rd Level

Local Education Authorities (LEA’s)
Administrative control of schools since 1988 based
on Indian Control of Indian Education
Each LEA is expected to function as a ‘school board’
No law-making capacity.
The passing of BCR’s only (Band Council
Resolutions)

KERC does not have any authority to directly
supervise schools. That responsibility lies with the
Local Education Authorities.

CONSULTATIONS WITH COMMUNITIES WILL DETERMINE
FUTURE ROLE OF KERC
Option 1 – Regional Education Organization with expanded services
Option 2 – District School Board operating with authority similar to
a provincial school board

KERC does not provide any 3rd
level services

NAN
(Nishnawbe Aski
Nation)

NAN as a political-territorial organization is not
involved in 1st level service delivery.

Administration of the NAN FNSSP Aggregated Partnership Proposal
until March 31, 2015

NAN Education Jurisdiction
Process
Possible NAN Education Act

Province of Ontario

Daily operation of provincial schools as part of a
provincial school board
e.g. Sioux Mountain Public School in Sioux Lookout

Provincial Boards of Education
e.g. Keewatin Patricia District School Board
The Common School Act of 1846 established local school district.
School boards are responsible for governance (and policy) and
operations (and procedures).
School boards are incorporated.
School board trustees are elected.

Legislation & government
Ministry of Education
Identifies and provides resources
to provincial school boards.

• Parents who may move from one community to another are ensured that the school follows the same policies and procedures to ensure good
education in a safe school.
• Assessments are given to any student who it is believed requires the assessment. Students will receive assessment and support at a much earlier age.
• If an assessment shows the need for support, the teacher will be given good strategies to support the student with learning.
• Professionals like psychologists, occupational therapists, and speech therapists will also provide advice to support learning.
• Education Directors will no longer have to secure the services of professionals, but can purchase service instead, from KERC.
• KERC will form a hiring committee to hire staff to be placed in schools across the north depending upon school needs.
• KERC will create a pool of teachers who can be hired throughout the year when a vacancy occurs. Thus there will be less wait time to replace
teachers.
• Education Directors will not have to search for staff before, or during the school year, as KERC will have a pool for immediate replacement.

Create a
supervisory service

• KERC will develop a mentoring program for principals, where principals and KERC administration will help develop principals early in their careers.
• KERC will create a job description and performance review documents to review the work of principals. Education Directors will assist KERC in the
review, but KERC will ensure consistent reviews within all schools in the north.
• KERC will be able to provide professional development for staff in northern schools based on their identified needs from the principal and school
review process. Education Directors will assist KERC with this process and professional development support, where requested.

What impact could occur with KERC as a District School Board (DSB)?
Standardized Policies • Policies for all aspects of running a school will standardize the approaches across the schools making for better impacts on student learning and
for all aspects of
reduced costs in purchasing.
governance and
• Principals, teachers, and parents will understand education better, and can support the youth in each community better by following policies and
operations (finance,
procedures. This will help improve student success.
human resources,
facilities, technology, • Education Directors will have common policies to work with and can talk with one another about best practices in supporting schools through the
etc.)
policies and procedures.
Centralized
communications to
all communities and
schools

Recruitment, hiring,
and evaluation of all
staff

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

Kwayaciiwin Education Resource Centre Needs Community Input To Determine Its Future Role

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Possible Impacts of REO and DSB ….

Executive Director’s Message on Exploratory Process of KERC’s Future Role
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to all people
especially to the parents and to their precious
children. May the Spirit of Christmas bless your children
and family

DECEMBER 19, 2013

More and improved
partnerships with
other education
organizations

• The roles and responsibilities of the L.E.A. may change.
• The District School Board will communicate regularly and respond to parent requests. Newsletters and communication will be sent out, posted on
the KERC DSB website, and broadcasted over the radio, webcasts, and local television.
• KERC will consult with the communities on education changes that are identified for consultation. This will help Education Directors build community
relations with the school in supporting KERC to consult with communities.
• Education Directors will provide KERC with communication needs in their communities and rely on KERC to provide answers and communicate the
successes that occur in each community school.
• A more formal approach will be taken to establish the hiring pool each year. This will help Education Directors replace staff more quickly.
• A common pay grid for all teachers will be created, which will allow for easier transfer between communities.
• Staff members who are struggling with teaching or administration will be provided with immediate support to enable them to serve students better.
School improvement will occur.
• Education Directors will have more time to focus on other school needs as hiring pools will be created and school reviews done and responded to
by KERC.
• The DSB will have recognition, thus allowing for greater partnerships with other boards of education, Aboriginal Affairs, and the Ontario Ministry of
Education.
• The sharing of policies and procedures, good teaching strategies, and cultural programs will occur between these organizations, thus saving money for
other use, and improving academic results.
• Technology can be used to provide communication partnerships with other DSBs where principals and teachers can videoconference to discuss
needs and successes with other principals and teachers in northwestern Ontario and beyond.

Our Vision

Kwayaciiwin Education Resource Centre is a respected, First Nation, community
driven, sustainable centre of excellence. We provide comprehensive support
and systems to ensure learner success, while providing a bilingual and bicultural
program.

A Whitefish Bay Anishinabe First Nation woman has
received a Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada
Scholarship from the University of Winnipeg.
Diana Cowley is one of two
recipients of $5,000 Truth
and Reconciliation scholarships for 2013, the university
announced Dec. 10. The scholarships recognize the work
of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and honour
students who are residential
school survivors or descendants of residential school survivors.
Cowley, 27, graduated from
the University of Winnipeg
with a bachelor of arts in indigenous studies but has returned
to complete an education certificate so she can become a
teacher.
She found herself at a crossroads after graduating with
her first degree, for which she
majored in Aboriginal governance.
“My interest in becoming
a teacher came from a vision
quest that I went on about a
year ago in finding out where
I needed to go in life,” she said.
“The dream that I was gifted
with was (of) me teaching
children about Anishinabe culture.”
Cowley’s maternal grandparents attended residential
school in Ontario.
“It was there that our rich
and beautiful Anishinabe culture was erased,” she said.
“I believe that re-learning

Diana Cowley

about myself
and where I
come from,
along
with
understanding
more about
my
culture
and spirituality, has helped
me in my path

to healing.”
In her current academic
program, she will focus on the
teaching of history and politics.
“My goal is to not only to
obtain my education degree
but I also hope to get my postbachelor degree in counselling,” said Cowley, whose
family roots are in Whitefish
Bay, although she grew up in
Winnipeg. “During that time, I
want to go back to my community of Whitefish Bay to teach.
Whatever the future holds for

“Whatever the
future holds for me,
ultimately, will be by
the direction of the
Great Spirit.”
– Diana Cowley

me, ultimately, will be by the
direction of the Great Spirit.”
Cowley is the first person in
her immediate family to attend
university.
“I believe my generation
is working on creating positive change and healing in
our community,” she said. “I
know I can make a difference
through education.”
As for the support she
received in the form of the

scholarship, “I think I was chosen because I am taking back
what was taken away and I
will be teaching in truth for
renewing good relations with
all nations, which is in part of
what the commission stands
for,” Cowley said. “I want to
say Kitchi-Miigwetch to the
Truth and Reconciliation Commission for this award. It’s
helping me to stay focused on
doing my best through school.”
The University of Winnipeg
initiated its Truth and Reconciliation scholarships in 2010,
and awards two of them annually.
The other recipient for 2013
is Amber Chartrand of the
Dene Nation. She is a secondyear University of Winnipeg
student majoring in criminal
justice and conflict resolution,
while juggling her studies with
her role as a single parent.
Chartrand chose her field of
study when she realized how
over-represented Aboriginal
peoples are in the justice system, in many cases due to the
effects of residential schools.
“The Truth and Reconciliation Commission adds its
congratulations to the award
recipients and encourages
them to continue their educational journey,” Justice Murray
Sinclair, chairman of the commission, said in a news release.
“While residential schools,
under the guise of education,
have been responsible for harm
and damage to Indigenous
people and communities in
Canada, the commissioners of
the TRC believe that education
does hold the key to reconciliation.”

It’s Getting Cold Out There!

Which means winter roads will be opening all throughout
the North for January, February and March.
Make sure winter roads travellers come see you first..
REBATES UP TO

Left: Sandy Lake’s Ray Linklater shows off a three-panel painting he
had for sale at the 13th Annual Aboriginal Fine Arts and Crafts Xmas
Gift Show and Sale.
Above: Gull Bay’s Diane Davis (Nawogesic) had a number of moosehide gun cases for sale during the Dec. 3-7 arts and crafts sale.
Bottom right: Lake Helen’s Josie Wawia shows off her mother Anne’s
quilted artwork during the Victoriaville Centre arts and crafts sale.
Bottom left: Slate Falls’ Chancillor Crane had a number of birch root
carvings for sale at the annual arts and crafts sale.

Slate Falls’ Chancillor Crane
used his birch root carvings to
overcome a tragedy in his community this past summer.
“We lost five people and this
helped me deal with a lot of
stuff,” Crane said. “In a way, it’s
my therapy.”
Crane first began carving his
birch root carvings after discovering a uniquely-shaped root
while clearing his yard.
“One day I was cleaning my
yard in the fall time and a frozen stump came out and I just

started carving it,” Crane said.
“I saw a cane at first and then I
saw an eagle head. It just grew
from there.”
Crane and a record number
of Aboriginal artisans took part
in the 13th Annual Aboriginal
Fine Arts and Crafts Xmas Gift
Show and Sale from Dec. 3-7
at the Victoriaville Centre in
Thunder Bay.
“This show is probably the
best show I ever had,” said John
Ferris, founder of the Aboriginal Artworks Group of Northern Ontario and organizer of
the annual arts and crafts sale.
“Every year is like that, but

this year is more exceptional
because there were new people, younger artisans, that had
joined the group.”
Ferris noted an Aboriginal
artisan from British Columbia
who carves B.C. cedar.
“And he’s already worked
with some of our local cedar
and developed some creative
artwork from that,” Ferris said.
“It was very amazing work.”
Ferris said the arts and crafts
on display, which included
quilts and unique jewellery,
were very inspiring.
“We had over 200 artisans
— a lot of people represented

other artists at their table,” Ferris said. “And despite the poor
weather we had the first two
days, a lot of people came in to
purchase the artwork.”
Pic
Mobert’s
Candace
Twance had a variety of wallhangings with Ojibwe floral
designs painted on diagonal
cross-sections of wood for sale
while Sandy Lake’s Ray Linklater had a number of paintings, including a three-panel
piece, for sale.
“I was influenced by Lloyd
Kakepetum, the late Carl Ray,
Roy Thomas and Joshim Kakegamic,” Linklater said. “But my

uncles always told me that you
have to have your own style. So
it’s better to have your own style
where you are comfortable in.”
Ferris is currently planning
another Aboriginal arts and
crafts exhibition and sale for
late July or early August 2014 in
Toronto.
“We want this exhibition to
concentrate on promoting our
culture, our heritage and our
language through our artwork,”
Ferris said. “I’ve already spoken
to the artisans, young and old,
and they are very receptive.”
Ferris said the artisans want
to expand their market and pro-

mote their artwork to a different audience.
“The (artwork) pricing
should be at least double or
triple the cost of what they
are selling here,” Ferris said.
“We’re trying to promote our
art to other cultures in different
parts of the world, and we want
to show them the authenticity
of our work. That is why the
prices are being set up a little
higher than here.”
Ferris said the Toronto exhibition would cost about $600
per person for the five day trip,
which includes two travel days
and three exhibition days.

Accidents Happen. Know Your Rights.

Car and Truck Accidents, Snowmobile and ATV Accidents, Airplane
and Boat Accidents, Slips and Falls, Serious Injuries, Death Cases,
Long Term Disability, Dog Bites, Medical Malpractice, Victims of Crime.
Girones Law Firm also holds one of the largest number of multi-million dollar awards and
settlements resulting from personal injury in Canada

Eleven members of Eabametoong First Nation gathered
at the community cable station to participate in the culmination of a fundraiser that
left them without their hair at
the end.
Wiichiiwaywin
Organizations Meeting Group,
(W-OMG), formerly known
as OW Working Group, held a
meeting in September where
the group decided to host a
youth conference this coming
February.
“We haven’t had one (a
youth conference) in such
a long time,” said Stella
Waboose, a member of
W-OMG. “We have been fundraising and also receiving
generous donations for this
upcoming event, but one of
our fundraisers was for our
local CHR Bill Shawinimash
and the health and social ser-

vices clinical worker supervisor Sid O’Kees to shave their
hair.”
Shawinimash and O’Kees
are hosts of the BnS Radio
Show, which airs every Friday
on the radio station. O’Kees is
also a member of W-OMG.
“That’s why we started with
that pair,” Waboose said.
The others who volunteered
to shave their hair were Louie
and Peggy Sugarhead, John
Slipperjack Jr., Heather Slipperjack, Robert Meeseetawageesic, Stephen Sofea, Jan Vandermeer, and Phil the Nurse.
Their heads were shaved on
Nov. 30.
Waboose explained that
W-OMG decided they would
donate portions of the funds
raised by the hair shaving
to both the Canadian Cancer
Society and to the Hospital for
Sick Kids in Toronto.
“We posted this fundraising drive and had more community members graciously

volunteer for our causes, and
we raised a total of $3,140,”
Waboose said. The hair shaving was aired on the local
cable station.
As well as a $1,000 cash
donation to the Canadian Cancer Society, the community
also donated the hair that was
shaved.
“We all agreed to donate
to cancer research because
all have been touched by this
terrible disease and everyone who donated, as well as
our volunteers, had someone
in mind because we all felt it
(cancer),” Waboose explained.
W-OMG donated a portion
of the funds raised ($1,000)
to the Hospital for Sick Kids
in Toronto because “kids from
our community and our neighbouring communities have
been patients there, and some
still are,” Waboose said. “This
hospital provides the best doctors to all children who walk
into that building.”

The remainder of the funds
raised will be going towards
the youth conference.
“This is a worthy cause in
itself,” Waboose said of the
conference. “This conference
will focus on youth empowerment. It has always been said
that the kids are our future,
and this is just the beginning
of Eabametoong’s path to give
truth to that phrase.”
Waboose said that W-OMG
would like to express a sincere
and heartfelt thank you to
those who volunteered to have
their hair shaved for the fundraiser.
“And of course, a thank you
to the people of Eabametoong
First Nation, Nurse Roxanne,
Bushtown Jets, Taybinak
Group, Andy Fyon, Sean Spenrath, Sam DeGrazia, Kaitlyn
McCullough, and JCY Principal Nick Shaver for all of the
generous donations,” Waboose
said.

Lakehead Welcomes

Indigenous Lifelong
Learners
Lakehead University is committed to promoting the educational
aspirations of Indigenous peoples. Programs at Lakehead offer
academic, cultural and transitional services tailored to Indigenous
student learning and research goals.

Deer Lakeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Alyssa Meekis
earned first-place honours
and $300 for her photography
business plan at Dennis Franklin Cromarty First Nations
High Schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s annual business
awards.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve done several events
already in my home reserve,â&#x20AC;?
Meekis said after the Grade 11
Entrepreneurship class awards
ceremony, held Dec. 9 at DFC.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;And Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve done a wedding,
which is my biggest event I
ever did. It was really exciting.â&#x20AC;?
Meekis said the wedding
pictures are all framed and
hanging in the newlywed familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s home.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was really nice to see that
when I went in there,â&#x20AC;? Meekis
said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I started taking pictures
when I was about 10 when I
got my first camera. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been
really passionate about photography for a couple of years

now.â&#x20AC;?
Meekis uses a Canon EOS
Rebel T3i digital camera and
four lenses, including fisheye,
wide-angle and portrait lenses,
to capture her images.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;I just need a printer and ink
and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be ready to print them
out for people,â&#x20AC;? Meekis said.
Although Meekis has been
doing most of her photography
assignments in Deer Lake and
Sandy Lake, she plans to travel
further afield for photography
assignments once she graduates from high school this
upcoming year.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;I plan to do (the photography assignments) anywhere,â&#x20AC;?
Meekis said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Usually, wherever I am, I try getting someone to ask me to take a picture
for them.â&#x20AC;?
Meekis encouraged other
youth to focus on achieving
their dreams.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;People shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t give up on
anything if they believe in it,â&#x20AC;?
Meekis said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Just go for it.â&#x20AC;?

The Anishinaabeg of Naongashiing (Big Island) are looking forward to the construction of a new 7,000-squarefoot business centre.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are extremely excited
by the opportunity to have a
store and tourism centre in
our community,â&#x20AC;? said Anishinaabeg of Naongashiing Chief
Wesley Big George. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This
store and tourism centre, created by our First Nation, will
serve our neighbours, the
surrounding area and visitors from the United States.
We hope that having ongoing
access to goods and services
will not only be convenient for
residents and visitors, but also
create economic opportunities
for our community.â&#x20AC;?
The Treaty #3 community
will receive $501,500 in support from Ontarioâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Aboriginal Community Capital Grants
Program for the $1.5 million
project, which includes a gas
bar, grocery store, post office,
gift shop and general store.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is important that communities have a gathering
place where cultural and educational activities can take
place and community development initiatives can flourish,â&#x20AC;? said David Zimmer, minister of Aboriginal Affairs. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As

One Ontario, we will continue
to work with First Nations
and Aboriginal organizations
to move forward on important capital projects that help
build stronger, more vibrant
communities.â&#x20AC;?
About 20 jobs will be created during the construction phase of the project,
and about four full-time and
six part-time positions are
expected to be created once
the businesses are in operation.
Bearskin Lake is also set to
receive $750,000 from the
Aboriginal Community Capital Grants Program to support
the $1.4-million expansion of
its community centre, which
will create jobs and enhance
educational and training
opportunities in the community.
Expected to be completed
in 2014, the expansion will
include new meeting and recreational facilities, a space for
community programming and
events and a new cafeteria.
The Aboriginal Community Capital Grants Program
has provided more than $30.7
million to support 112 major
and minor capital grants and
related feasibility studies to
build or improve community
centres and small business
centres across the province
since 2003.

Meekis plans to use the
$300 award to buy clothing for
her baby, who is due in about
three months.
Cylde Moonias earned second-place honours during the
award ceremony while Tre Fiddler earned third-place honours.
The Grade 11 Entrepreneurship class is part of the Aboriginal Youth Entrepreneurship
Program that was developed
and implemented by the Martin Aboriginal Education Initiative in 2008 to teach Aboriginal youth about business and
entrepreneurship, to encourage them to complete their
high school education and to
go on to post-secondary studies.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is our eighth year
running the Grade 11 (Entrepreneurship) program,â&#x20AC;? said
Brandon Wright, teacher of the
Entrepreneurship class. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Every
year we usually have on average about eight students, but

this year we had 13 students
competing today. It was a very
close competition; I guess that
would happen when you have
a deeper roster of competitors.â&#x20AC;?
Wright said one of his former Entrepreneurship students
from two years ago recently
opened up a restaurant in her
home community of Sachigo
after completing Culinary Arts
at Confederation College.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;The last I heard it was
doing pretty well â&#x20AC;&#x201D; since itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s
a new business and she has a
lot of attention,â&#x20AC;? Wright said.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;And a few others have gone
on the the business program at
(Confederation) College.â&#x20AC;?
The Entrepreneurship program provides students with
information on business and
personal financial literacy,
including the process to
develop a budget, knowledge
of banking, how to create
spread sheets and the importance of financial projections.

Request for
Pre-Qualification
OLG
Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation
OLG has issued a Request for Pre-Qualification for the
following Gaming Bundles for Modernizing Land Based
Gaming in Ontario:
RFPQ# 1314-045 for Gaming Bundle # 5 (GTA)
RFPQ# 1314-120 for Gaming Bundle # 6 (West GTA)
RFPQ# 1314-121 for Gaming Bundle # 7 (Central)
OLG is using the MERXâ&#x201E;˘ electronic tendering system to
issue the RFPQ. MERXâ&#x201E;˘ is a national service designed
to facilitate the procurement process within the public
and private business communities. You may obtain more
information by referring to their website at
www.merx.com/olg or by telephoning
1-800-964-MERX(6379) or by faxing 1-888-235-5800 and
quoting the associated RFPQ solicitation numbers.
The closing date and time for the submission of proposals is
March 13, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. EST.
Note that OLG will release Requests for
Pre-Qualification for other zones at a
later date.

Magino Gold Project â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Federal Funding Available
December 2, 2013â&#x20AC;&#x201D;The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency is making available funding to
support participation of the public and Aboriginal groups in the federal environmental assessment of the
Magino Gold Project, located in Ontario.
Funding is available for eligible individuals and groups to enable their participation in upcoming steps of
the environmental assessment, which include reviewing and providing comments on the Environmental
Impact Statement and draft Environmental Assessment Report.
Applications received by January 13, 2014 will be considered. Recipients and the amount of funding
allocated will be announced at a later date.
To apply for funding or for more information on the project and the environmental assessment process,
visit the Agencyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website at www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca (Registry reference number 80044) or contact the
Participant Funding Program by writing to PFP.PAFP@ceaa-acee.gc.ca or by calling 1-866-582-1884.
As part of the strengthened and modernized Canadian
Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 put in place
to support the governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Responsible Resource
Development Initiative, the Agency is conducting a
federal environmental assessment of this project.
This project is being assessed using a science-based
approach. If the project is permitted to proceed to the
next phase, it will continue to be subject to Canadaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s
strong environmental laws, rigorous enforcement and
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Prodigy Gold Incorporated, a wholly-owned subsidiary
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Dubreuilville, Ontario, would involve the construction, operation, decommissioning, and abandonment of an
open-pit mine and metal mill. Mining will occur over seven to eight years with an ore production capacity of
30,000 tonnes per day. The on-site metal mill would have an ore input capacity of 15,000 tonnes per day
and will operate for approximately 15 years.

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Wawatay News

DECEMBER 19, 2013

17

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Miichim program honours hunters with feast
Bryan Phelan
Wawatay News

The hunting season so far
hadn’t gone well for the people
of Slate Falls First Nation. The
weather wasn’t co-operating
and no one was having any luck
in shooting a moose.
Until now.
Near the head of the rapids,
Ryan Loon nailed one of his
traps to a tree when a cow
moose walked towards him.
Ryan’s gun sat in his boat about
30 feet away. He hesitated at
first, unsure what to do, then
dashed for the boat and got a
shot off with his gun before the
moose could run away.
Kathy Loon, Ryan’s aunt, tells
this story from a couple of years
ago to illustrate her nephew’s
hunting
prowess.
She’s
speaking to about 40 people
gathered for the second annual
Miichim Hunters Feast at the
Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win
Health Centre. The feast, held
Dec. 12 in the health centre’s
Josias Fiddler Conference
Centre, honours Ryan and
others
who
contributed
to health centre’s Miichim
(Traditional Foods) program
over the past year.
Kathy is the manager of
traditional programs at Meno
Ya Win, including the Miichim
program.
“This boy has been hunting
since he was a little guy …
running around after his
grandfather,” she says of Ryan.
“He’s often gone for long
periods of time from home, just
wandering the bush, checking
his traps, hunting.”
And when Ryan gets back
from the bush, he shares what
he has harvested.
“In Slate Falls, he single-

handedly feeds all the Elders
and keeps their freezers full, as
well as some of the Elders here
(in Sioux Lookout) at Patricia
Plaza,” Kathy says. “And now
he’s starting to donate to the
hospital. So I’m very proud of
my nephew here.”

“...when Ryan gets
back from the bush,
he shares what he has
harvested.”
Dick Bramer, general manager of support services for
Aramark, the company that
provides food services for Meno
Ya Win, presented Ryan with
a gift to show appreciation
for the fish he has donated to
the Miichim program. Others
received recognition and gifts
for contributing geese, venison,
moose, grouse, caribou, and
blueberries.
“Without your generous
donations and commitment,
the program would not exist,”
says Dean Osmond, Meno
Ya Win’s vice-president of
corporate services and chief
operating officer. “Providing
traditional foods to our clients
is an essential part of providing
culturally-appropriate care.”
Traditional foods are offered
to Meno Ya Win patients once a
week. A selection of pre-made,
frozen Miichim meals are also
prepared for patients who want
to stay with their traditional
diets on a daily basis. And
boiling fish and moose can
accommodate those on special
diets requiring nutritional
fluids.
“It’s very, very important,”
Kathy Loon says of the Miichim

Bryan Phelan/Wawatay News

Elders Isiah Kanate of North Caribou Lake, Damin Crowe of Sandy Lake, and Andy Lac Seul from the First Nation of Lac Seul line up for traditional food at the Meechim Hunters Feast hosted Dec. 12 by Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre.
program. “Some of these
Elders, they’ve lived on this
food for 80 years and then it’s
food from a different culture.
They’re just not used to it. For
them to get a traditional meal
once a week means a lot to
them.”
Joan Winter of Wapekeka
First Nation, in Sioux Lookout
for Meno Ya Win Elders Council
meetings, agrees.
“When Elders are taken
out of their community and
brought here, some won’t want
to eat anything unless it’s traditional food,” she says at the
Miichim feast, which included
roast moose, baked walleye,
wild rice casserole and bannock. “It’s always good when

they feed us traditional food
when we’re here because it’s
healthy.”
Art Weir, the Miichim cook,
on average prepares 150 meals
per week for Meno Ya Win,
the adjacent Jeremiah McKay
Kabayshewekamik hostel, and
the William George Extended
Care facility not far away.
The traditional food is stored
and prepared in a small kitchen
separate from the main Meno
Ya Win kitchen to comply with
health and safety regulations,
notes Michelle Beaulne, the
health centre’s director of
environmental services.
Meno Ya Win would
eventually like to offer
traditional food to its patients

more often but that will depend
on the amount of food donated,
she says.
“Last year the snow was high
up North, so the hunting was
pretty hard and our freezers
were a little low,” says Loon.
“This year it’s good; we had a
good fall.” Loon should know,
having contributed moose,
caribou and partridge she
hunted herself.
Donations to the Miichim
program come from across
the region served by Meno Ya
Win, with big game usually
from communities accessible
by road, while ducks and geese
are more easily shipped from
remote northern communities.
“It is a little hard to ship a

whole moose on a plane,” Loon
explains, although airlines have
been supportive of the program.
“I’m really glad we get to
recognize the hunters who have
contributed to this program
and ask people to continue
donating,” she says after the
feast.
Adds Winter: “I’m just hoping
the program will keep going, so
the patients can get food some
of them are longing to eat when
they’re brought out here.”
Donations to the Miichim
(Traditional Foods) program can
be arranged by calling Kathy
Loon at the Sioux Lookout Meno
Ya Win Health Centre, 807-7376561.

18

Wawatay News DECEMBER 19, 2013

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Health Services

Financial Services

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joanna@bayview.toyota.ca

Weeneebayko Area Health
Authority Cancer Care Project
Wachay, WAHA and the Colon
Cancer Check program are looking
to increase the number of men and
women who are being screened
for colorectal cancer in Moosonee,
Moose Factory, Fort Albany,
Attawapiskat, Kashechewan and
Peawanuck. If you are aged 50 – 74
and have never been screened or it
has been more than two years since
your last one, please see your doctor
or nurse to get your FOBT kit. All men
and women who participate from the
communities mentioned will receive
a $25 Northern Gift Card (while
quantities last) and a chance to win
monthly prizes. Check your behind
and remind your loved ones to! Sure
it takes a little courage to scoop
your poop on a stick but cancer is
scarier. For more information, please
visit
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Project page. You can also visit us
on Facebook on our Weeneebayko
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women from Moosonee, Moose
Factory, Fort Albany, Attawapiskat,
Kashechewan and Peawanuck to
get screened for breast cancer. If
you are a woman aged 50 – 74
and have never been screened or
it has been more than two years
since your last one, please see
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put the squeeze on breast cancer.
For more information, please visit
www.weeneebaykohealth.ca and
click on the Cancer Care Project
page. You can also visit us on
Facebook on our Weeneebayko
Cancer Project page. Meegwetch

A Taykwa Tagamou Nation
(TTN) entrepreneur has
formed a partnership with a
Fortune 500 company.
Last month, Cree Quest partnered with Aramark Remote
Workplace Services to build
capacity for Cree Quest to
access and deliver services on
a larger scale within northern
Ontario.
Tina Gagnon of TNN is the
sole owner of the company
Cree Quest, which provides
catering, event planning, and
equipment rentals.
Aramark Remote Workplace
Servicesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; website says the
company is a North Americanwide provider of industrial
camp and catering solutions
for a diverse client base in the
extractive resource industries,
forestry, emergency services
and the military. It also has clients in 22 different countries.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m just really pleased about
the partnership with Aramark,â&#x20AC;?
Gagnon said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Their corporate
social responsibility is in line
with my vision as a business
owner, such as employee advocacy, environmental stewardship, health and nutrition, and
community involvement.â&#x20AC;?
Gagnon said Aramark is
a $13.5 billion business and
world leader in professional
services.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;One thing that really
attracted me is theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re recognized under the Canadian
Council for Aboriginal Business under a silver level, which
means they value working with
Aboriginal communities at a
higher level,â&#x20AC;? Gagnon said.
Gagnon grew up in Moose
Factory and lived in Moosonee
for a few years before she relocated to TTN, where she was

Tina Gagnon
mainly raised.
Cree Quest was formed as a
sole proprietorship in 2010.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;I started off by offering
catering and event planning,
like open houses and Christmas
parties specifically for the community,â&#x20AC;? Gagnon said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The
largest event was the spring
Chiefs Assembly in May 2012.â&#x20AC;?
It was at the assembly that
Gagnon says she recognized
there was a market for Aboriginal businesses who â&#x20AC;&#x153;needed
our skills as women and traditional values we hold as
women.â&#x20AC;?
â&#x20AC;&#x153;It turned into an opportunity and recognizing we
have a flair for preparing traditional dishes, those were in
high demand at different functions. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s how we started,â&#x20AC;?
Gagnon said of Cree Quest.
Cree Quest got its name
from Gagnon, who explained
she was going into the competitive bidding market so she
created the name from two
sources.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s usually a process
called RFP â&#x20AC;&#x201C; request for proposals. I took the word â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;requestâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;
and I wanted to incorporate my
Cree culture in that as well in
recognizing it was an Aborigi-

nal business. I took Cree
Quest.â&#x20AC;?
Gagnon has a college
diploma in Addictions and
Community Services, and also
attended university for a time
and studied history. She also
recently completed a four-year
term as a band councillor for
TTN.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;I took all of those learning experiences and with the
intent of the community service background I was able to
indentify barriers that our people had,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I thought
Cree Quest was the avenue to
explore more boulevards of
growth and development that
were lacking in the workforce.â&#x20AC;?
Gagnon said she took her
work experience and education to create a business. She
explained that she always had
an entrepreneurial spirit.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;Back in my early 20â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, I
entered a business planning
competition and I placed first
in a category for business planning,â&#x20AC;? Gagnon said. She had to
present her business plan to a
panel of four banking institutions.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;That set the bar to where I
wanted to be as I grew older,â&#x20AC;?
Gagnon said of the experience.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve always had it in me. My
mission was to help people, to
help my community as well.
So combining what my future
was and what I have already
learned turned it into a successful business.â&#x20AC;?
Cree Quest recently started
to expand into professional
services like traditional food
remote camp services, event
planning, and equipment
rental.
Gagnon said that it was not
easy when she started Cree
Quest.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;Some of the challenges
were being taken seriously as

a competitor and as a woman.
The tethering process of my
business is wide open to others, to competition, and the
competition already existed
for many years, they have the
capacity,â&#x20AC;? Gagnon explained. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I
had to prospect for a partner in
order to be more competitive.â&#x20AC;?
Gagnon said she felt that as
a woman it was really a manâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s
world in the negotiation process and bidding.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;I did lose a few times but
I continued to seize the open
opportunities and I just never
gave up,â&#x20AC;? Gagnon said.
Gagnon said the partnership between Cree Quest and
Aramark will enhance what she
can do as a sole owner and will
help her as a member of TTN
to provide more employment
opportunities for the community.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to help me
develop more management
supervisory training positions
as opposed to just house keeping or janitorial,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I
want to take it to a higher level
than that, I think we have more
skills than just what is being
offered out there right now.â&#x20AC;?
She said that the new partnership Cree Quest has with
Aramark will build her companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s capacity to grow and
be more competitive in remote
workplace services.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to set the bar
to developers out there that
they need to recognize that if
theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to do work in
our territories, we have the
capacity within our own membership to provide services,â&#x20AC;?
Gagnon said.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;So itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not even a question as who is going to do the
work â&#x20AC;&#x201C; it should be a given,â&#x20AC;?
she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in our territory,
we can do the work. Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s get to
work.â&#x20AC;?

Eabametoong First Nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s
Hanna Waswa, 21, was presented with a Governor General
Student Award for History at a
ceremony in Rideau Hall on
Nov.19.
Waswa was awarded the
medal after winning first place
in her age category earlier this
year in the 2013 Aboriginal Arts
and Stories Challenge for a story
she wrote called â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Peaceful
Dead.â&#x20AC;?
â&#x20AC;&#x153;When I started this story, my
main goal was to portray reserve
life as accurately as possible,â&#x20AC;?
Waswa explained in her authorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s
statement on the challengeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s
website. She said the idea of
making her storyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s main character a girl who was coming home
from high school to attend her
motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s funeral was one that
she had â&#x20AC;&#x153;been playing with for a
long time.â&#x20AC;?

Waswa identified with her
character in the way that she
also had to leave her home community to attend high school.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;While the tragedy is rare, the
emotions and circumstances are
a daily part of peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lives,â&#x20AC;?
Waswa said of her winning
entry.
Alicia Dottiwalla from Aboriginal Arts and Stories said that
Waswaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s story â&#x20AC;&#x153;recounts the
emotions, familial connections
and trials of a young person who
has experienced the realities of
life both on and off her home
reserve.â&#x20AC;?
Waswa was invited to Rideau
Hall in Ottawa to receive her
Governor Generalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Award from
Gov.-Gen David Johnston.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;To be honest, it (the ceremony) was quite surreal,â&#x20AC;?
Waswa said.
The contest is currently open
and the deadline is March 31,
2014. More information can be
found at www.our-story.ca.

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Âť First Nations Leadership
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20

Wawatay News DECEMBER 19, 2013

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

LOVE
RESPECT
COURAGE
HONESTY
WISDOM
HUMILITY
TRUTH
Jeremiah McKay Kabayshewekamik,
the hostel in Sioux Lookout, Ontario provides
a home-away-from-home for First Nation patients coming to and
through Sioux Lookout for medical appointments and care.
While at the hostel, we ask that patients and their escorts honour
the Seven Sacred Teachings and the house rules in place to
ensure a safe, healthy and enjoyable visit for everyone staying
here.

Did you know?
The Jeremiah McKay Kabayshewekamik (hostel) has 24/7 security on-site. The security team is
here to ensure all guests are safe. This means they may visit your room to respond to noise
complaints and ensure you are respecting the premise. Only registered guests are allowed in
the hostel rooms. Outside visitors are welcome to meet with guests in the lobby and dining
area, but are not allowed into the rooms.
Also, this facility has a zero-tolerance policy for alcohol, smoking, drugs and violence.
This is in place to ensure the safety and health of all guests. If a guest is caught violating
this house rule they will be escorted out of the building. Please, respect yourself and
respect the health and comfort of your neighbours.

www.slfnha.com

SECTION B

December 19, 2013
Northern Ontarioâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s First Nation Voice since 1974

Three Feathers of Hope youth took part in the Feathers of Hope forum held this past spring in Thunder Bay.

NEWS BRIEF

Final Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental
Assessment Report Submitted to Government
Osisko Hammond Reef Gold is pleased to announce the submission of the Final
Environmental Impact statement/Environmental Assessment (EIS/EA) Report to the government
for conformance review this month. We expect to publish the EIS/EA Report for public comment early
in 2014. We will be visiting the Town and Aboriginal communities in December, and plan to host
a public Open House early in January 2014.
We would like to thank all of you who have helped and supported us through the environmental
assessment process. It has been both encouraging and enlightening, and all of your feedback
and information has been very valuable and appreciated.
We look forward to continuing our collaboration with you into the New Year,
and in the meantime, wish all of you a very happy and healthy holiday season!

More than 500 First Nations
youth aged 18-35 from across
the country attended the
Assembly of First Nations’
(AFN) 4th youth summit from
Nov.18-21 in Saskatoon to
develop a five-year action plan
for change and progress to
address their priorities.
Among them were members
of the Thunder Bay-based youth
group Feathers of Hope (FOH),
who were invited by AFN to
attend this year’s summit.
“We were asked to speak by
the AFN Youth Council. We
were invited to the conference
just to speak about Feathers of
Hope, about what we have done
so far and where we are going,”
said Uko Abara, one of FOH’s
youth amplifiers.
Kathryn Morris, another
amplifier from FOH, said that
she was happy for FOH to have
the opportunity to speak at the
AFN youth summit.
“Our goal is to spread the
word on Feathers of Hope and
that was a good way to do it,”
Morris said.
The three-day summit
held workshops and panel
discussions on priority issues
directed by youth.
FOH held three workshops a
day, with an increasing amount
of attendees with each new
workshop.
“When we were there, we
talked about what the (FOH)
forum is and we talked about
the different things that
comprised it,” Abara said. “It’s
not only a forum but a youthled initiative, and there is also
the action plan.”
FOH held a forum last
spring with youth from across
northern Ontario to discuss key
issues affecting the youth and
their communities, and have
been working on an action plan
and a report from the forum.
Abara said that they wanted
to encourage the youth at the
summit to take charge of FOH,
and that they talked of the
benefits that the forum held in
the spring had for the youth.
“So if you want to take a first
step towards making change
where you are, Feathers of
Hope is a way,” Abara said.
The feedback FOH received
after each workshop was very
positive, said Morris.
“At the end of each of our
presentations or workshops, we
had numerous requests to visit
different communities across
Canada,” Morris said. She said
that a lot of the questions had to
do with how to get something
like FOH started in home
communities.
“There was a lot of interest in
what we were talking about,”
Abara said of the feedback after
the workshops.
AFN National Youth Co-Chair
Noel Joe said, “First Nations
youth are the fastest growing
demographic in Canada and
need to be meaningfully
included in shaping the way
forward on all areas that affect
our lives and the futures of our
nations.”
“It was really good to see
how these young people (at
the summit) are really active
and more knowledgeable
about what’s going on in
their communities and within
Canada,” Morris said.
“For me, it was a good
experience to see that there
are a lot of youth leaders
across Canada within the

communities,” Abara said. “It
was nice to see these leaders are
connecting with each other and
empowering each other.”
Abara said that the issues
and experiences that affect First
Nations in northern Ontario are
also experienced by other First
Nations youth across Canada.
“The issues are alive and
well, but it’s good to see the
youth are taking the time
and initiative to solve these
problems,” Abara added.
National Chief Shawn Atleo,
who addressed the summit on
the first day, said that the young
people are not just the leaders
of tomorrow, “they are our
leaders right now.”
“We look forward to working
with the National Youth Council
and all our youth in ensuring
their plans and priorities are
integrated into our national
action plans and strategy,” Atleo
said. “We will move forward
stronger, together.”
The five-year action plan
from the summit will be
released in early 2014 and will
be incorporated into the AFN
national agenda.
Morris said that the FOH
action plan and report from the
spring forum would be released
early in the New Year.
“I just want to repeat that
one of our main goals going
to the summit was to spread
the word about Feathers of
Hope and allow youth to take
charge about that process to
solve and address issues in their
communities and in their own
lives,” Abara said.

“Youth from all of
our territories came
together to discuss
important priorities
in their lives and for
the future, such as
education, economic
development,
health, treaties, and
supporting our cultures
and languages...”
– AFN National Youth Council
Co-Chair Sasha Maracle

“We hope they can interact
with the resources they have,
whether its with their own
provincial advocate’s office,
the band offices, and with each
other, we are hoping that the
youth can take the idea of FOH
and implement it within their
own communities and work
towards the change they want
to see.”
AFN National Youth Council
Co-Chair Sasha Maracle said
having these national youth
summits is important for youth
to meet up and discuss their
issues.
“Youth from all of our
territories came together to
discuss important priorities in
their lives and for the future,
such as education, economic
development, health, treaties,
and supporting our cultures
and languages,” Maracle said
in a media release. “We are
building a plan to move these
priorities forward, led by youth
and supported by leadership.”
Updates and information about
Feathers of Hope can be found
at facebook.com/FOHTbay or
on Twitter at @FOHTbay

Assembly of First Nation’s
National Chief Shawn A-inchut-Atleo
addressed
a
packed community centre in
Pikangikum on Nov. 27 at the
request of the community chief
and council to advocate a new
working relationship with the
federal government and speak
to its high school students.
Pikangikum Chief Paddy
Peters opened the meeting
with a sombre account of
necessities such as clean water,
power, and sewer that he said,
“were promised years ago, but
never happened.”
“The basic necessities for
the health and safety of the
community are at a standstill
today,” he said, and the federal
government has ignored
repeated requests to meet.
Peters held a large stack of
letters that he says have been
sent over the years.
Though
Pikangikum
battles with social problems,
infrastructure, and classroom
portables,
this
meeting
highlighted that Pikangikum
has big plans ahead. This
was underscored by the full
attendance of the high school
students whose energy filled
the centre, and it is that group
of young people that the
community is fighting hard for.
The Whitefeather Forest
Initiative is Pikangikum’s
answer
to
economic
development and has been
in refinement for 18 years.
This Elder-driven project
would be an environmentally
sustainable forestry practice
that would be owned and
operated by Pikangikum.
Just this year, they have been
granted a forestry license, but

Submitted photo

Assembly of First Nations National Chief Shawn Atleo (standing, right) speaks before Pikangikum community members on Nov. 27.
the meeting highlighted the
frustration with Aboriginal
Affairs
and
Northern
Development of Canada
(AANDC), formerly known as
INAC, who hold the keys to
any economic development
on Native land and refuse to
meet with the First Nation or
provide any funding.
Peters called on the National
Chief to advance the concerns
of the First Nation to the
federal government.
Alex Peters, president
of Whiteforest says, “INAC
knows this will be a successful
initiative. They know it will get
us out of that INAC mentality.”
In a meeting that was
conducted in both English
and Ojibway, at times very
sombre with frustrations,
Peters pointed out with pride,
“Pikangikum is an Ojibway
speaking community . . . even

“I like the pride you
have here for your
culture and your
language . . . and
you’re strong in your
language and I love
that. It fills me up with
inspiration.”
-Atleo responding
to youth question

the little ones can understand
their language.”
When asked National Chief
Atleo about what he saw as
unique in Pikangkum, he said
he was impressed with the
retention of the language.
“It also comes with what
most of southern Canada calls
being isolated,” he said. “But
Pikangikum is in the centre of

their universe. Everyone else
is isolated. And it’s the same
way with my people feel from
Ahousaht (British Columbia),
where I come from. Because
we’re in a so-called isolated
community too.”
Atleo also spoke of many of
the similarities.
“My village had over
65 suicide attempts and
several completions in one
calendar year. Pikangkum
has experienced that, too. We
experienced reaching out for
support. So has Pikangikum.”
Pikangikum’s problems are
not unique to First Nations
across Canada, but if INAC
allows the First Nation to go
ahead with forestry, it could
be a step to self-reliance, and
with a new school being built
for 2016, the community is
fostering a new generation
of hope. But this all comes

from the resilience of the First
Nation to work with a system
that keeps them from true selfdetermination.
Asked if the federal
government has moved beyond
the assimilationist policies of
White Paper, a 1969 attempt
to abolish Native rights and
the Indian Act, Atleo said, “In
some respects you still see
misunderstanding in what it
means to support community
control.”
“I’m not sure it’s ever really
changed. I don’t think the
understanding has necessarily
ever changed but there are
improvements in it. Our people
are learning more, Canadians
are learning more, young
people are learning more and
gaining a better sense of selfawareness . . . in some respects
Canada has got to learn, but
our people are going to drive

the solutions. That’s where I
get quite inspired and hopeful.
And it’s not about relying on
governments to do it.”
Atleo’s message of hard
work ahead resonated with
the young crowd. One brave
student stood and asked,
“What do you like about
Pikangikum?”
“I like the pride you have
here for your culture and
your language . . . and you’re
strong in your language and I
love that,” Atleo replied. “It
fills me up with inspiration.”
Atleo’s speech brought
applause from the young
crowd, who are oftentimes
quite reticent, but his stories
ring true and similar to the
common experience of First
Nations. The young people in
Pikangikum are not blind to
the problems of social inequity
faced by their parents and
Elders.
Atleo said it best that day:
“My father said to me, ‘son,
my grandfather caught three
whales. And my grandpa was
this tall,’” he says with his hand
at his chin.
“Three whales! One as long
as this room,” as he motions
to the length of the full
gymnasium that is home to ball
hockey, dances, bingo games,
court, council meetings, and
dances. “Just eight people in
a canoe. A 42-foot canoe built
from a cedar tree. You can’t
just do that from skill. You
have to go to the Creator. You
have to go the Creator, and
you ask that whale to grab that
harpoon because that’s the
food!”
The young people of
Pikangikum need that support
and those stories to know that
though it may be difficult there
is a way forward.

Keewaytinook Okimakanak introduces New K-Net Director
ioux Lookout, Ontario - Keewaytinook Okimakanak
announces that Dan Pellerin has joined the
organization to run K-Net Services. Dan Pellerin
comes with a wealth of experience within the industry,
having spent the last seven years as a project manager
for the expansion of internet and satellite services in
northern Manitoba, Ontario and the Maritimes. Prior
to that, Dan Pellerin was a key member of the team
that was responsible for providing internet access to
Northwestern Ontario Communities.

S

New Hope Youth Centre of Thunder Bay would like to thank everyone who contributed to
making our Annual Fundraiser Dinner & Program a success on November 22, 2013.

Dan joins K-NET to continue providing residential, business and
government services to First Nation communities in remote areas of
northwestern Ontario and other remote communities in Canada. He also
plans to expand K-NETs’ mandate to provide dependable services to the
communities. Dan comments “I am excited to start a new challenge within
K-NET and look forward to working with the team to further develop their already
extensive services. I am fortunate to be joining such a respected organization
that prides itself on top quality service.”

Peter Campbell, Keywaytinook Okimakanak Executive Director, said “Dan’s
wealth of experience and industry knowledge has already made him a key
addition to the K-NET family. We view his arrival at K-NET as a sign of our
commitment to being the leading organization in our industry in the North. Our
new innovations and the increasing demand from our customers led us to
ORRNIRUVRPHRQHZKRFDQOHDGRXUWHDPDQGZKRZLOO¿WLQZLWKRXUVHDUFKIRU
innovative and exceptional service, and it is very fortunate that we were able to
¿QGVRPHRQHRI'DQ¶VFDOLEHUWRIXO¿OOWKLVUROH,¶PFRQ¿GHQWWKDW'DQZLOOSOD\D
key role in providing and implementing high quality solutions for our clients.”
About K-NET
The Kuhkenah Network (K-Net) provides information and communication
technologies (ICTs), telecommunication infrastructure and application support in
First Nation communities across a vast, remote region of Northwestern Ontario
as well as in other remote regions in Canada. This private telecommunications
network supports the development of online applications that combine video,
voice and data services requiring broadband and high-speed connectivity
solutions. K-Net is a program of Keewaytinook Okimakanak (KO), a First
Nations tribal council established by the leaderships of Deer Lake, Fort Severn,
Keewaywin, McDowell Lake, North Spirit Lake and Poplar Hill bands to provide
a variety of second level support services for their communities. Kuhkenah is an
Oji-Cree term for everyone, everywhere. ( www.knet.ca )
Contact
Keywaytinook Okimakanak
Peter Campbell, Executive Director
(807) 735-1381
petercampbell@knet.ca

B4

Wawatay News DECEMBER 19, 2013

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Photos by Paige Fiddler/Special to Wawatay News

Left: Santa Claus (Wayne Kakepetum) allows a child to take a gift from his sack.
Above: One of the many floats during Sandy Lake’s Christmas parade on Dec. 6.

Santa Claus comes to Sandy Lake parade
Stephanie Wesley
Wawatay News

Sandy Lake First Nation
held it’s annual Christmas
parade on Dec.6.
The
parade
was
a
combined
effort
of
departments from the band
office (Welfare Corporation,
Health, Education, and
Recreation)
and
other
organizations, like Nishtum
Kikinoamatowin Head Start.
Seth Fiddler, an employee
of Sandy Lake Recreation,
said that he helped make the

f loat for Santa Claus – who
was played by Sandy Lake
counselor Wayne Kakepetum.
“Everyone in the band
office got together to help
make the float,” Fiddler said.
Fiddler said that his
favourite part was seeing
the children of Sandy Lake
converge together in groups
in different parts of the
parade route. He said that
the f loats were passing out
candies for the children.
“They (the children)
gathered up on the road,
they all got together,” Fiddler

“There was Christmas
Spirit in the air,
everyone had a smile
on their face.”
-Paige Fiddler

said. “Their houses are
separate from each other
and they got together in one
pack and they all got to get
candies.”
“It was good seeing the

Elders come out to grab
candies, too,” Fiddler added.
Fiddler said that the
parade has been going on for
decades.
“They used to have SkiDoo trains, too,” he said.
Kristen McKay, a member
of the Sandy Lake Youth
Council, said that she
thought the parade was
good.
“There were a lot of
different f loats,” McKay
said. “One float had a theme
where it required a stove and
smoke was even coming out.”

“It was fun, but so cold,”
McKay said.
Paige Fiddler also had to
contend with the cold as
she snapped photos of the
parade.
“My hands were frozen,
I left my mitts in the truck
because I couldn’t get a good
grip on my shutter button,”
Paige said. “But I got used to
it (the cold) after a while.”
“There was Christmas
Spirit in the air, everyone
had a smile on their face,”
Paige said.
The band office donated

cash prizes for the top three
floats this year.
McKay said that Nishtum
Kikinoamatowin Head Start
won first place for its float.
“Nishtum gave out beans
and bannock to the older
people,” McKay said of
Nishtum’s float.
Fiddler said that he is
glad that everyone helped
out this year for the parade,
especially the businesses and
organizations.
“It was great seeing all of
the kids faces smile,” Fiddler
said.

Christmas Greetings from Ontario
Regional Chief:
The season of joy has arrived and I’m
happy to share a special message for
this special time of year. It is a time of
excitement, where we look forward to
spending time with family and friends,
enjoying each other’s company with the
sounds of laughter all around. It is truly
a special time to be thankful for all that
we cherish in our lives.
It is also a time when we may be facing personal challenges.
Many are feeling pain of losing a loved one or battling feelings of
loneliness; please know you are blessed and are in my thoughts
and prayers.
I believe in the power of hope and the comfort of knowing God,
our Creator, loves us all, gives purpose and provides peace within
ourselves.
My Christmas wish to you is the opportunity to spend time with
your loved ones and to make beautiful new memories that will be
cherished. Have a very merry Christmas and safe travels to all.

Free bus shuttle transportation service from City Hall Bus Terminal to FWFN/Fort
William First Nation, Bingo Hall.
Buses loading at City Hall/May Street at 6pm; 8pm; 10pm and
the last bus is leaving FWFN at 11:30pm.

Intrigue
and
global
warming headlined two
Dec. 12 presentations of An
Honourary Elf by students
at Dennis Franklin Cromarty
First Nations High School.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;What was Mrs. Claus
trying to do,â&#x20AC;? said Carol
Barkman, a Grade 10 student
from Sachigo Lake who
performed the Tippy role in
the play. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Global warming â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
it was actually Mrs. Claus.â&#x20AC;?
Although
Frosty
the
Snowman, performed by
Darrell Fiddler, thought that
Santa, performed by Sage
Mawakeesic, was behind the
global warming that was
melting him and the winter
wonderland at the North
Pole, it turned out that Mrs.
Claus, performed by Antonia
Meekis, was behind the whole
affair.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mrs Claus was the one
that caused that (global
warming),â&#x20AC;?
said
Nancy
Currie, director of the play
and teacher at DFC. â&#x20AC;&#x153;(Frosty
was starting) to melt away
and (there were) the tired
reindeer. Everything worked
out for the better.â&#x20AC;?
Fiddler, a student from
Sandy Lake, noted that Frosty
had melted down to just his
head at one point in the play.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;We were just trying to
capture how global warming
can affect the world,â&#x20AC;?
Fiddler said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Frosty was just
suffering from the effects of
global warming.â&#x20AC;?
Currie said the drama class
students have performed
seven plays over the past few
years and other students have
also performed some plays.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;The kids just love doing
them,â&#x20AC;? Currie said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s
super for the skills they gain
through the drama and they
have a lot of fun. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what
it is all about is having fun
and being proud of what you
did.â&#x20AC;?
Currie said the play was
â&#x20AC;&#x153;basically just a comedy for
entertainment.â&#x20AC;?
â&#x20AC;&#x153;Jeanna (performed by
Robyn Turtle) had to go to
the North Pole and there was

a little message there I guess
about her mom because she
was so uncaring,â&#x20AC;? Currie said.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;But at the end of the play she
was caring.â&#x20AC;?
Jeanna ran away to the
North Pole with a couple of
unstable elves and discovered
that something foul was
afoot in Santaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s workshop.
So she set out to uncover
the truth despite threats of
re-education by the elves.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;We started rehearsing the
play three weeks ago,â&#x20AC;? said
Meekis, a student from Deer
Lake. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I felt really nervous but
then after a while I got used
to it.â&#x20AC;?
Alicia Koostachin, another
student from Deer Lake who
performed the Snooble role,
signed up for the play to â&#x20AC;&#x153;be
more outgoing.â&#x20AC;?
â&#x20AC;&#x153;This was my first play,â&#x20AC;?
Koostachin said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was fun.â&#x20AC;?

Rick Garrick/Wawatay News

Dennis Franklin Cromarty First Nations High School students Robyn Turtle, left, Carol Barkman, centre, and Alicia Koostachin performed in two
Dec. 12 presentations of An Honourary Elf, which focused on the effects of global warming.

Seasonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Greetings
from Detour Gold

â&#x20AC;&#x153;There were a couple of
folks who hadnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t even
read before who had
to step in. There were
a lot of hurdles but we
pulled through in the
end.â&#x20AC;?
-Rachelle Pelletier

Rachelle
Pelletier,
a
student teacher at DFC,
stepped in to play a couple
of roles due to actors who
were back home in their
communities.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;Everyone was having a
great time,â&#x20AC;? Pelletier said.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;There were a couple of folks
who hadnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t even read before
who had to step in. There
were a lot of hurdles but we
pulled through in the end.â&#x20AC;?
Other
performers
in
the play included Paige
Meekis, as Boolie, Brittany
Sainnawap, as Snog, Monica
Wassaykeesic, as Yobo, and
Joshim Kakekagumick, as
Blitzen.
Students from the Grade 10
Integrated Arts and Grade 10
Clothing classes also created
the set design and many of
the costumes for the play.

Merry
Christmas!

Best Wishes for a happy and safe
holiday season
celebrated in the company
of family & friends

&HOHEUDWH
WKHWUDGLWLRQRIJLYLQJ
WKHEHDXW\RIWKHVHDVRQ
DQGD1HZ<HDURI
SHDFHDQGKDSSLQHVV
~ From the Board of Directors and Staff
of Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority
Main Offices closed for the holidays from
Wednesday, December 25, 2013 to Wednesday, January 1, 2014.
Open in the new year on January 2, 2014.

www.slfnha.com

B8

Wawatay News DECEMBER 19, 2013

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

‘Hope you’re getting ready for Christmas’
Letters from Grades 3-4

Cont’d from page B7

Dear Santa,
I wish for a ipod and 10
games and I wish for a small
ski-doo and I wish. I had a
peletgun I wish had skylunders
sa wqfoce and I wish. For a
xobox live and wishing for a
computer and I wish for a game
and a dummy..that’s all.
Thank you from david tait
Grade 3
Dear Santa,
I wish a ipid and sled and an
xbox one and helo5 I wish for a
black ops2 I wish for a toy.
Sagatay Beardy
Grade 3
Tiannah Hudson
Dear Santa,
I what I got an Xbox one
and a goat and a ipid and a
earphones for the xbox
Lucius Kakekayash
Grade 4

Summer Benson

Dear Santa,
I what a Xbox one and sled I
halo 5 microphone
McCartney Beardy
Grade 3
Dear Santa,
I wish for a ipad and new sled
and the first bioshock and
xboxone
call of duty black ops
Hayden Brown
Grade 3

Trinity Kakekayash

Wallace Jeremiah

Dear Santa,
I wish for two electric guitars
and a ipad
Caden Harper
Grade 3

Dear Santa,
For Christmas I will like a
ipad5. And I will need papers
and I will need pencil sharpener
Kirsten Beardy
Grade 4
Dear Santa,
I Wish for a baike for
Christmas…and I Wish for a toy
car and Wishing for a sled..and
I Wish for a rocket and I Wish
for a helo 4 Game for my Xbox..
Thank you from dante marry
Christmas To you
Dante Sakchekapo
Grade 4
Dear Santa,
I want a x box and one I want
I pod
I wish to get sled I wish game
GTA5
I wish for halo5
Fabian Keeash
Grade 4
Dear Santa,
I wish for a Ipod and a Ipad
also a furby and a x box also an
xbox games a compter also for
my family to be happy
Fiona Kenequanash
Dear Santa,
I want a Ipad and a gt sled
and a cat and a dog and I want
grandma cookies so mush I
want to have alot of presents
and a ipod
Jordyn Keeash
Grade 3

Dear Santa,
I wish for a I pad and a x box
360 and skstes
Amarys Tait
Grade 3

Dear Santa,
I wish for a ipad
I wish for a computer
I wish for a tv
I wish for a Xbox one
Jade Morris
Grade 4

Representatives of Sioux
Lookout officially welcomed
the Little Bands Native Youth
Hockey Tournament back to
town on Dec. 16.
The weeklong tournament
returns
to
the
Sioux
Lookout Memorial Arena
for its 13th season after
one year away at the twin
ice surfaces in Dryden. The
2014 tournament, which
takes place Feb. 10-16, will
still feature two rinks, as
games will also be played
throughout the week at
the Lac Seul Events Centre
arena, which opened earlier
this year and seats 1,300
spectators.
Chief Clifford Bull of Lac
Seul and Mayor Dennis Leney

Bryan Phelan/Wawatay News

Celebrating news that 2014 Little Bands Native Youth Hockey Tournament will take place in Lac Seul First
Nation and Sioux Lookout are, from left: Gerson Augstin, Sioux Lookout parks and recreation manager;
Amy Brizard, executive assistant for the Sioux Lookout Chamber of Commerce; Mayor Dennis Leney;
tournament organizers Ziggy Beardy, Steven Fiddler and Jethro Tait; Chief Clifford Bull; Barry King,
manager of the Lac Seul Events Centre; and Dori Hopko, president of the Sioux Lookout Blueberry Festival.
of Sioux Lookout, along
with business and recreation
officials from the two

communities, gathered with
tournament organizers at a
news conference to announce

the venues for the upcoming
event.
“We decided to bring the

tournament back to Sioux
Lookout mainly because of
the proximity of the new
Lac Seul arena,” said Ziggy
Beardy, who handles the
tournament’s public relations,
website and statistics. “We
can accommodate up to 36
teams.”
Organizers are soliciting
entries for a girls division,
for players 10 to 15 years old,
which would be a tournament
first. The five standard
divisions, from novice to
midget, remain in place.
“We had a good time and
good hospitality in Dryden
but Sioux Lookout has been
our base … so we decided to
come back and give it another
try,” Beardy said. “Our fan
base is here.”
Mayor Leney is pleased to
see the Little Bands return.

“With Lac Seul having a
brand new arena and with
our arena, it’s going to work
out for both the communities
really good,” he said. “We
have the hospitality – lots of
hotels and lots of restaurants
– and it’s a good economic
boost for the municipality
and all our businesses.
“I enjoy all the hockey
we get here with the First
Nations, especially the Little
Bands,” added Leney, who
policed in the district’s
remote communities for 10
years until retiring from
the OPP’s Northwest Patrol
Unit. “Having worked in the
North for several years, it’s
nice to see a lot of the people
I’ve known for years back in
Sioux Lookout. I always look
forward to it.”

Tips for gearing up for the new hockey season
It’s time to strap on those
pads, lace up those skates
and head out onto the ice!
Whether it’s trying the sport
for the very first time or for the
player who’s passed the puck
around season after season,
every hockey player knows
that having the right gear is
essential.
Players and their parents
should always keep in mind,
that when purchasing hockey
gear, the most important
thing to consider is fit. Proper
fitting equipment not only
helps improve performance
on the ice, but can also help to
prevent injury.
Following is a quick list
of tips to help with fitting
equipment from head-to-toe.

• Helmets and faceguards
are mandatory in minor
hockey. For optimal protection
helmets should be replaced
every 2-3 years minimum.
• New technology such
as the Impact-Alert Hockey
Helmet Sensor is a great
safety add-on for any player.
The colour sensor indicates
when your helmet has taken
a significant impact, that the
integrity of the helmet should
be checked and the user should
be monitored for a concussion.
• Throat guards should
completely cover the throat
and be BNQ approved.
• The tip of the shoulder
should fit snugly under the
shoulder cap in the pad.
• Elbow pad size must align

with the size of your gloves.
• Fit is very important for
gloves, too big and you can’t
grip the stick, too small and
your wrist will be exposed to
injury.
• A properly fitted pant
should protect all of the
critical organs and areas of
your body and not inhibit your
movement.
• The best fit for shin pads
means they go from the bottom
of your hockey pants to the top
of your skate.
• A good rule of thumb
is that skates should be one
full size smaller than your
shoe size. If your skates are
too big they can inhibit your
performance and lead to
injury.

Bryan Phelan/Wawatay News

Action shot from the 2013 Little Bands Hockey Tournament.

CELEBRATE
THE
SEASON

We’re proud of our record of safe, responsible operations everywhere
we do business and of the opportunities we’re building for
generations to come.
Wishing all First Nations communities a safe and happy holiday season.

TSX:G NYSE:GG
www.goldcorp.com

B12

Wawatay News DECEMBER 19, 2013

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

The Council & Staff of
Sandy Lake First Nation
wish everyone a
Merry Christmas &
Happy New Year!